ode to my running buddy*

...except it won't be a poem...i'm not that creative...

it has been 3 years since, in a fit of frustration at being heavy from having the baby & never having successfully run more than a block, i said i wanted to run a half-marathon.

exactly one person in the universe thought i meant it: kath.

in the time that has passed since, her faith in me has sustained me over thousands (literally) of miles, aches and pains, hitting the wall, and anytime that i lost faith in myself.

for real, she looked at me huffing & puffing away and told me i was awesome, that i could do whatever i wanted as long as just kept getting out there. on race days, she leaves me gu and gatorade, she made her hubby drive 30 mi to find body glide for me.during races, she helps keep my head in the game. when we don't run together, we text each other words of support.

most importantly, she saw in me what i certainly did not see in myself. words can really never repay my gratitude at her willingness to step up.

along the way something wonderful happened: no, it isn't all the weight i lost (i didn't) or the medals i've won (haven't- only finisher medals). it is something worth so much more and yet, invaluable at the same time: we became really good friends. we opened our hearts to each other, have seen each other at our best and worst, and talked through every single problem imaginable and laughed and laughed and laughed.

she is a gift.
- peace
*running buddy: actual person who runs with you, not the euphemism for, well, never mind...