Date a girl who runs because she knows how to go the distance, even when the going gets tough.
Because it will get tough. Her side will hurt and she didn’t eat breakfast, but you won’t hear her complaining because she’s in it for the long haul.
Date a girl who runs because she doesn’t need you to be her therapist or to fill her up because she has her beat-up running shoes to do that for her, and this means that you can just be you.
Date a girl who looks at food as fuel, not an enemy; she sees her thighs as gladiators slaying the beast of her demons, not as objects to cover up in bed. Date a girl who thinks of her body as a tool, an instrument to play, taking it to its limits, and not as something she hates. Watch her eat a stack of pancakes or plate after plate of eggs, never worrying about the calories.
Watch how she never asks you if these shorts make her look fat. Because they don’t. And even if she’s a big girl, she won’t care what you think because she will feel powerful and strong. When you’re with her, you’ll feel powerful and strong.
Date a girl who runs because she’ll know how to be alone without you, and sometimes she’ll need those solo runs.
Date a girl who runs because she’ll also know how to adjust her pace to fall in step with yours. And if you’re worth it, she will.
Date a girl who runs because she knows how to sprint when needed, and she knows when to make long strides for hours, if that’s what it takes.
Massage her feet and legs when she’s achy and listen when she talks about gear. She’ll appreciate you taking the time, even if you’re not a runner, or rather, especially if you’re not a runner. Runners are focused and they notice, so she will notice.
Date a girl who plans her vacations according to trails because so much of what we’ve lost is that connection to nature and how it feels to see a rabbit at sunrise hopping next to you.
Date a girl who knows how to walk it off when she’s hurt, and she will get hurt. If not her hamstrings, then her heart. If you’re lucky, she’ll come over for a sweaty hug.
Date a girl who runs because she’s got more on her mind than makeup and keeping up with the neighbors because she’s too busy trying to keep up with herself, outpace herself, outdo herself. If you want her to stay interested, set your own intentions about how you can be a better You.
Date a girl who runs because smiling while you sweat is sexy, and she knows that.
And she knows that she looks her best after a long run, even if there’s dust all over her cheeks, and her nose is sunburned. She knows she looks amazing because she is smiling. In fact, she’s almost always smiling because she’s always releasing endorphins.
Date a girl who runs because she has great skin from all the hydration, and it’s so soft under your touch. And even if she has wrinkles, her brow is serene when she gazes off into the distance. And they’re probably laugh lines, anyway, because of those endorphins.
Date a girl who runs because she can’t be moved, and you wouldn’t settle for anything less.
Date a girl who runs because she knows how to quietly, patiently work every week on a goal she set that’s half a year or a year away. She’ll be working on her time, her distance, but what she’s really working on, is herself.
Date a girl who runs because if you’re reading this, you want to work on yourself and she’ll help you.
Relephant reads:
Date a Woman Who Knows Everything (& Nothing).
Date a Girl Who Practices Hot Yoga.
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Assistant Editor: Kerrie Shebiel/Editor: Bryonie Wise
Photo: Courtesy of Jim Larson
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