oh hi ohio!

This piece is to simply say that I see you.

I see you out there at races, more than happy in the back of the pack.

I see you on long weekend runs, logging endless miles before most people even make it out of bed.

In fact, I see you not tracking runs at all sometimes, because honestly, who the hell cares? The numbers can’t capture the magic of a great run.

I see you laughing at being passed by both sides of the age spectrum, from inhumanly fast 10-year-olds to inspiring 80-year-olds—and let’s not forget the guy with the double stroller!

I see you stopping for pictures on a particularly gorgeous run because no number of seconds lost compares to getting the perfect shot.

I see you running to maintain your health, to relieve your work stress, to show your kids the joy of movement or to quiet your anxiety with each pounding of the pavement.

I see you not giving a you-know-what about having some unattainable “runner’s body.”

I see you preferring long distances because though you may not go fast, you better believe you can go forever.

I see you serving as honorary president of the, “Everyone is a runner!” fan club.

I see you running for the sheer joy of it—and let’s be real, some of the agony.