A letter for G

For G,

This weekend you are running a marathon.

I was totally going to write you a pep talk letter. You know, the kinds of letters you've written to so many of us? But then, then you went and wrote yourself one yesterday, so that part is pretty much covered.

So instead, I'd like to go back a couple weeks, when I commented on one of your posts. This one. One of many you've written where I feel like you somehow live inside my head.

In that comment I called you "my running idol." Later, you kind of blushed and brushed it off, but it IS true, and I think maybe I should tell you why.

To be fair, the blogging community has blessed me with MANY running idols. And some of them I've even had the pleasure of running with and some have become SUCH good friends. It's definitely the best thing to come out of all this bloggity goodness, and frankly, the most unexpected.

But back to you...

You are my running idol because you started where I started. A mother, not so sure about this running gig, just seeing where it'd take you. Determined. But not fast. Not yet.

Over the years you've built an enviable support system. You've worked hard and trained hard. You've made running an integral part of who you are. And you have gotten SO STRONG. You show me what is possible.

But what I really love is how you share your love of running with everyone. You reach out, over and over, to virtual friends. You build us up. You support our dreams, and relish in our successes and lament our failures. You offer advice. You pay it BEYOND forward.

You are a great writer. A great friend. A great runner.

This weekend, it's your turn - your race, your way, with your crew all around you.

You are going to CRUSH it.

And while you're killing it, remember that you have all of us there with you too, pulling for you, believing in you.

SAVOR your run!