Thank you running for giving me …

1. The tools (physical and mental) to survive cancer.
2. A reason to wear split shorts.
3. Totally awesome runner legs.
4. Something in common with every other human being on the planet who happens to also run — no matter what their language, country, background, etc. We can always talk the universal language of running.
5. Friendship.
6. Stress relief from my job.
7. A good excuse to consume lots and lots of bananas.
8. An excuse to jump in puddles even though I’m an adult.
9. The ability to christen a new pair of bright white shoes by jumping into a mud puddle.
10. The chance to experience the look on people’s faces when I run through a blizzard.
11. Courage.
12. A chance to meet some of the most awesome and inspiring people on the planet. (Runners Rule!)
13. A reason to consume copious amounts of spaghetti.
14. An opportunity to see the sunrise.
15. An opportunity to see the sunset.
16. A good reason to always have a ponytail.
17. The chance to get as close to flying as possible as a ground-based being can get.
18. The experience of conquering the big hills.
19. The chance to get a little crazy and fly down the big hills.
20. The feeling of camaraderie when I see another runner. (Like I said Runners Rule!)
21. Endorphins.
22. The chance to leave the house as one person, and come back an entirely new and better person.
23. The chance to engage in good natured trash talking.
24. The feeling of accomplishment.
25. The ability to eat and eat and eat.
26. A strong heart.
27. The ability to laugh at myself.
28. The knowledge that the saying “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” is really true.
29. The chance to find my limits.
30. The chance to exceed my limits.
31. A strong set of lungs.
32. Control.
33. A chance to play.
34. The knowledge that there is magic in the world.
35. Energy.
36. A chance to inspire and be inspired.
37. Time to be alone.
38. So many wildlife sightings I would never have otherwise seen.
39. The lesson of why it is best to always be humble.
40. The lesson that you really do get out what you put in.
41. The ability to suffer and to endure pain.
42. A resting heart rate in the high 40s.
43. A chance to compete.
44. A chance to be unconnected (no cell phone, no email, totally me time).
45. So many cute runner guys to admire.
46. The ability to eat more ice cream.
47. Hope.
48. Freedom.
49. Peace.
50. The ability to know what it feels like to lose and how it feels like to win, and how to do both as gracefully as possible.

51. Time to think.
52. A chance to turn off my brain.
53. The chance to explore my neighborhood.
54. Something I can always be thankful for.
55. Discipline.
56. The chance to see my friends succeed and to know first-hand what it took in terms of sweat and blood and tears to get there.
57. Pleasure.
58. The chance to feel fast.
59. So many cool shirts. (An entire boxful!)
60. The chance to feel so alive.
61. Character.
62. An excuse to eat way too many lemon-line sports beans.
63. Strength.
64. Happiness.
65. A chance to make a difference.
66. A goal.
67. A reason to be.
68. Something I can do to help prevent disease.
69. Confidence.
70. Treatment when I feel sad.
71. So many awesome stories.
72. Strong bones.
73. The occasion to experience something eternal.
74. Endurance.
75. Relaxation.
76. A better life.
77. The chance to crunch through the red and gold forest in the fall.
78. Renewal.
79. Hope.
80. Creativity.
81. A life with passion.
82. A chance to remember
83. A chance to forget.
84. Guts.
85. The knowledge of how many miles (to the nearest tenth) every landmark is from my house.
86. Patience.
87. A reason to go outside.
88. An excuse to run through the neighbor’s sprinkler.
89. The feeling of the wind in my hair.
90. Focus.
91. An easy way to sight see when I travel.
92. Challenges.
93. A chance to participate in something bigger than myself.
94. A sense of balance.
95. Perspective.
96. The ability to cover 15 miles on the strength of my legs and the courage in my heart.
97. Something to do.
98. A better outlook on life.
99. Understanding.
100. The Runner’s High.

OK, so this is not an essay, but I felt like just making a list. :) If you liked this post and want to pass it along with your own modifications, feel free. :)