A Few People I Run With (sort of)

Chae.   Chae is one of those people that has those sweet spirits that truly doesn't know how special and beautiful she is.  She is a "new friend" so I don't know her well, but I have learned this much: she has gone from smoker to non-smoker, non-athlete to runner, and she is very artistic.  She knits some beautiful things that she is hoping to sell online.  For me as a runner, seeing her in the marathon clinic was the first time I actually thought, "if she can do it..."  Why Chae?  Because she isn't hardcore.  Because she isn't in your face and confident.  She has her self-doubt like the rest of us and she does it anyway.  She seems to be genuinely surprised when she finds people like her despite the fact that she is funny, smart, and lovely.  She is running her first marathon this weekend.  She will conquer her fear and doubt and I am so very proud of her.  

Susan.  I met Susan through running just as I met Chae, but I've known her longer.  Like Chae, she is artistic with a good eye for style, a good runner and above all, she is funny.  Not just mildly amusing, funny.  And brave.  About a year after I met her, I still didn't know her well, but I learned that she made a decision that would not only change her life, but take her in a completely different direction.  Susan would tell you herself it was one of the hardest things she's ever done, but she left a life she couldn't live any longer, took her sons, and left her husband.   She has kept every promise to herself since then.  Everything she has done, she has done for the health of her boys and herself.  She has created a circle of loving, supportive friends and family, and eliminated or distanced herself from those that aren't.  She is running the Scotia Half Marathon the same day I am.  I am slightly jealous that "Skinny Butt" (as I like to call her) gets to run with Monick that day.  I'd like to say I'll be with her, but she'll be ahead of me all the way.  

 Sarah and Colin.  These two are probably two of the most loving people ever.  They are completely adorable and completely devoted to each other and their family.  Similar interests but enough of a separate life that they are able to be their own people.  Posts on Facebook are routinely about making breakfast for each other and how they love their three children.  If I hadn't met them in person, I would probably think they are the cheesiest couple on Earth.  (They are, but I love them for it.)  Food, fun, friends... everyone is welcome at their house and they will gladly cook you breakfast if you knock on the door.  Most of the time at least one of them is smiling and I have to say, their positive personalities are infectious and my world is all the better for it.

Bev and Pete.  I know the picture only features Bev (she's gonna kill me if she ever sees this!) but I couldn't for the life of me find a decent picture of Pete.  There are pictures out there, but they just don't really capture him.  So Pete will remain the enigma for now.  Kind of fitting, really.  I think he likes it that way.  Their combined running knowledge is awesome and I have learned more about running from Pete while running than I could gather from anywhere else.  They are two sides of the same coin in that they have similar interests with two fairly different personalities.  Fun-loving Bev, with her highly social personality and fabulous hugs, contrasts nicely with home-body Pete that seems to prefer one-on-one time with friends in a laidback, more conversational way.  Sometimes I think if Bev and I had been born closer together, we would have been awesome friends in high school.  She taught my Learn To Run clinic when I first started and it was one of the best things I have ever done.  One day I will run with them again.  I have yet to run a race with either one and I'll have to wait a little longer for the privilege.  Bev's nursing an injury and Pete has been sucked back into the real world for the time being.  But Bev will heal (as she always does) and the real world will eventually let go of Pete.  The Dark Side is strong, but I hope he sees the light soon.