I love that everyone is lacing up this year. There were many, many before me in my life. Pam was always a runner friend. Then most of my first ski house... Christine, Kim, Meg, Joyce... then there was Alex, then Ang. Until recently, I would be supportive, but if they talked about running or training I would glaze over a little bit immediately thinking "yuh huh, whatever."
So many people in my life have boarded the running wagon in this new year. Gina, Michele, Katma, Adrienne, Joe, Chrissy and Tenley. The running wagon is funny thing. It's a very personal experience, but you are very happy to see others on board. Especially the first timers. There's a world of new experiences that unfold as you start pushing yourself further and further. You get to share stories with one another and suddenly the long, hard training road melts away into a perfectly manageable path.
We had a great mission moment this morning from one of our coaches who had recently lost his grandfather (not to cancer, just old age). In the pouring rain about 50 of us huddled around to hear the story before our monsoon run. It was about what his grandfather had said to him when asked "what keeps you going?" He said it was people. The type of people that are willing to go out and try something new. To be scared but go for it anyway. He said that those are the people that inspired him throughout his life. In an instant, I felt like I knew his grandfather and wanted to introduce him everyone I know who has embarked on this journey with me.
To all my fellow wagon boarders, thank you for hopping on as well. You inspire me everyday.
