Where would I be without you, old friend?

I can be a bit of an emotional wreck sometimes. I seem to have highs and lows and I sometimes find it hard to regulate things.

I've not been feeling great recently. In fact, the last couple of weeks, things have really been getting on top of me. I've been able to actually feel my stress levels rising. I've been feeling apathetic, down and I haven't been sleeping. Tonight, I came home from work and all I wanted to do was cry. I don't know why, in the grand scheme of things, there's nothing so bad going on really.

Tonight, I had no choice. Despite only about 3 hours sleep last night, I had to go for a run. I thought I'd only go out for a few miles. I set out and it felt ok. I knew I was going to run until I didn't want to cry anymore. So I kept on going.

It turns out, I ran until I could breathe again. I'm not sure I can describe it properly. It's like taking a really really deep breath and the relief that comes with it is indescribable. Once you've breathed again, you wonder how long it's been since you last did it, and how you hadn't noticed that it's been so long since you did.

I finished my run with a smile. A genuine smile.

I feel like I took a friend for granted, but at the end of the day he's always there when I need him (Yes in case you're wondering, I did just personify a physical activity - but that's how it feels).

This is why I run; it's the only reason. I feel better.

I had a number of photos that I could have blipped today, including a lovely ship from Dundee. But this was the most important thing that happened to me.

Please forgive my emotional outpouring on blip. I don't do it for sympathy, or attention or in some weird way to boast about running. Somewhere along the years, blip became my diary, so you get all of my emotions, completely unfettered. Sorry about that ;)