Thank you

                                                                                                                                         ~Sunday October 20th, 2013~ 

Still dark outside, the mornings hello was still sopped in with fog. 5:30 a.m and the majority of San Francisco was awake. They joined all 30,000 of us at the starting line, and shouted from their windows and rooftops. The SF and Nike community, our friends and family lined the streets of our course. And it was all in a grand and beautiful effort to spur us on, entertain us, keep us hydrated and nourished, remind us how strong we are, forge us forward, pick us up... and make us laugh. All for one common goal. One thing is for certain, I have never felt so encouraged... and let me tell you, those SF hills for almost half of the course, were no joke, so I needed it. I'm pretty certain we all did.

At the starting line my friends and I were separated by pace times and sections of thousands of people, so I found myself somewhat alone... and a little scared. Yet the flood of adrenaline and being surrounded by thousands of women with that same one goal was exhilarating. I've never felt anything like it before.

I settled into my pace quickly and comfortably, found my breathing rhythm and stayed focused. 

By mile 2 I noticed a stranger by my side pacing with me. We didn't speak until mile 3.5. Breaking the awkward silence was a clever cardboard sign of a sideline supporter that read "Keep it up, Stay strong, you're running better than congress!" :) we both laughed, we made our introductions and shared a bit, then continued to run and conquer some hills together. She was quite the gift. And Melissa was her name. She shared about her recent couple of surgeries and just what a challenge to her body this run was. Yet she was determined to finish it. So, my focus shifted and I did my best to keep her her strong.

Mile 9 on a hill hit me pretty hard. And just when it began to discourage me, I was surprised by my dearest friends screaming my name and shouting words of encouragement... yes, I cried.... tears of joy and I didn't care; there was plenty of other women around me doing the same. As I passed my friends and forged forward. I was filled from head to toe. I felt so loved. And with a rush of strength, there it was, the reminder that the whole race painted into a vivid and brilliant metaphor. 'Melissa" my running partner was a total stranger, yet we had the same goal... my dearest friends that were there, we too found each others hearts on some serious 'hills of life' with a common goal. What a difference a challenge makes when you've got others along side of you. What a difference life in general is when you have others along side of you. 

From the flats to the hills that seemed to last the length of forever, I couldn't stop thinking about life .... and just how much sweeter it is when you have a supportive community, made up of friends, family... friends you consider family. "for two are certainly better than one" began to sing to my heart.

More than just a verse we hear a lot at weddings; It's a verse of choice, willingness, sacrifice and commitment... to each other, in love. 

Thank you with all my heart to my community. I am so grateful for God's precious gift of my family, and friends. They are the one's always willing to get up early with me and run along side of me, line the streets and shout out words of encouragement in the flats and hills of my life. You make it almost impossible not to keep running.... so I won't. See you at the finish ;)

"For two are better than one... " Ecclesiastes 4:9-12