A Written Apology That Is LONG Overdue

After running my 2nd 10 Mile Race, I decided that I had to make an apology. It’s LONG overdue and I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner.

Dear Legs,

I am sorry for the years of abuse that I have put you through. Most people say that they have legs, gams, or quads – I’ve always called you my “Thunder Thighs”.  The words fat, short, stumpy, huge, gross and manly are how I described you.  I’ve told you that I hate you way too many times to count and I’ve constantly kept you covered up. Growing up I would curse you for not letting me fit into the skinny jeans that the other girls were wearing and I would mock you because my volleyball shorts looked like they were painted on.  Finding a pair of jeans that weren’t skin tight on you and baggy in the waist was nearly impossible! Every time I was forced to wear a dress, I was completely embarrassed. I thought you made me look like man in drag. When I looked down at you, all I could see was disappointment. You were big and no matter how much cardio I would do or how many hours I spent in the gym doing lunges, you would just keep getting bigger. The sight of you made me feel like such a failure. I am a fit, tough, athletic chick who logs tons of hours at the gym every week. I transformed my upper body into something that I am so proud of, but you wouldn’t budge.

To be honest with you, when I started running, it wasn’t because I wanted to find a new way to challenge you or to give you a new sport to try – I wanted to shrink you. I wanted to replace you with the tight, toned thighs that I saw on all women runners. I wanted to finally have legs that I could be proud of and I wanted you out of my life. I have never been so wrong in all my life.

Legs, I have insulted you for the last time.

In the last few years you have helped me do things that I never thought I could do. You carried me through countless races, pulled me out of a frozen lake that I forced you to jump into, held me up on ridiculously high stilettos, suffered with me through grueling workouts and helped me stand tall when I felt like crumbling. I thought that I could never be a runner because you were too short & stocky. You proved me wrong. You believed in me when I didn’t believe in you. When we ran and I mentally shut down and was positive I couldn’t take another step, you propelled me forward.  You kept me moving towards the finish line and you always got me there.  You’ve always been there for me and I am sorry that I have been so cruel to you.

From this moment on, I promise to treat you like the incredible legs that you are. You are muscular, you are strong and I am so proud to have you. I won’t ignore your aches and pains anymore and I will never again deny you the much needed massages and breaks that you deserve.  I will no longer keep you covered when it’s blistering hot outside and I will let you enjoy the sun.  It’s ok that we will never be able to reach the top shelf, that’s why God invented stools. And skinny jeans – seriously, they are SO 2008. From now on, I will not try to change you – I will celebrate you. I have big legs, but they are GREAT big legs!

Come on legs, let’s go for a run!