Letter to Long Run

Dear Long Run,

I hope this letter finds you well. Let me first of all say that I miss you very much. Please please please don’t think that I have broken up with you. It’s just that so much has happened since our last date that I haven’t been able to set up another date, heck, I haven’t even been able to write till now. How it hurts me to think that we haven’t had a date in over two years. But so much has happened Long Run.

We bought a house and even though I had some vacation time where I thought we might have a date, well, I had to use that time to work on the house. You know painting, and that kind of thing. It’s not you, it’s me.

After that I got a new job that has an hour commute each way. So that basically rules out a weekday for us to get together. It’s not you it’s me Long Run. I hope you are not crying right now.

Julian is two and a half now Long Run and he is more than a handful. We take him to his gymbo class on Saturday mornings and then he goes down for his nap but with only a two hour window and chores to be done in the interim, the most I have mustered is seven miles. I know what you are thinking but that is not cheating on you Long Run. I can practically hear you saying “only three more miles and we would have seen each other again” but I did not have it in me Long Run. Please understand. I have to get myself back in shape before we even think about seeing each other again. I am ashamed to have lost it, yes Long Run, I have lost fitness.

So I know you are thinking “but that leaves Sundays” and you are correct long run. But you see we have another child now: Avery was born on March 30^th so now we have our hands doubly full and while we usually do work out on Sundays, there is just not enough time for us to get together. It’s not you it’s me Long Run.

But know this: we WILL get together. It is because of my fond memories of our times together that will undoubtedly draw me back to you. Like Kibbles and Bits Long Run, like Captain and Tennille, like Cleveland Sports teams and heartache, we will get back together.

Who can forget our first date? I was so nervous. I thought you were soooo out of my league but you were patient and when we met, I was hooked. So into you. Whether it was the treadmill at Wellworks during harsh winters or out on the rolling hills of Athens, we shared many a date and we got to know each other and we made each other better. 

Even moving to the Ocean Sate could not stop our love. We met on the beautiful island of Jamestown more than a few times. Rain or come shine we ran around that island, that is how committed we were Long Run. 

Even another move could not stop our love fest long run. We discovered the beautiful Goddard Park together and mapped out our little hiding spot. 

And the harsh New England winters could not separate us thanks to the media room at the gold’s gym in East Greenwich. Remember watching those movies together long run? Good times, good times.

So you cannot doubt my veracity Long Run. You know I am good for it. I’m just working my way back to you Long Run. Neither of us wants to rush this and have an injury which would only delay our next date together.

Here is my plan Long Run: I am going to continue with the 5am runs and get to the point where I can run six miles before I have to get home and get the lunches ready, do the dishes, and any laundry I can. I will also continue with the weekend runs during the nap times and get those up to seven or eight. Then, I will look toward a three day weekend in the fall, perhaps Labor Day or Columbus Day or Veteran’s Day where we will finally meet again. I will then put my arms around you Long Run and through the sweat and tears on my face, for anyone to hear, I will once again confess my love for you Long Run.

Please tell me you can wait till the Long Run.

Can you?

With bated breath,

Shannon