Talking to that one friend… ya know, the one you don’t talk to often enough. But, the one who just gets you. The one you tell anything and everything to honestly without any fear of judgement.
The one who can have this conversation with:
Me: He says he’s 6’0”. It’s a total lie. He can’t be more than 5’5”.
Her: Men always lie by at least two inches. With, uh, EVERYTHING.
God, I miss her.
Ooooh, I had some shit to run out tonight. Good thing I had one more run from Coach to do.
For the record if you are my friend you are my friend for life. I don’t lose friends. I will allow the usual ebbs of flows of a natural friendship. I, however, will not allow betrayal. Lies. Deceit. Because this would break my heart.
Apparently, some people do not value friendship the same way I do. So, fuck you. Karma’s a bitch baby. And, don’t forget….. I’m driving that damn karma bus. Toot! Toot!
Today something very good happened to a friend of mine. They shared it with me. Then thanked me.
I don’t always say the right thing. I don’t always know the right answer. But every once in awhile I get it right.
Sometimes, I matter.
So my boss has a migraine & just completely lost it. Went ballistic. I was the unlucky recipient of the unjust wrath. Even though it was followed by an apology, it still sucked. But, then. I go on lunch, to find this message from my friend who just ended her second round of chemo:
“And then there is you (yeah…this part is about you).You have been there for me through everything. You mean the world to me and I would happily give up bacon for the rest of forever for you if that is what it would take. My life would not be the same without you. You inspire me and push me and make me giggle. You are the best give life has given me and I thank you for that.
And don’t think your 10 went unnoticed. I saw that and thought to myself…dang…she is doing it. She is really doing it. Shit Andrea…you have overcome so many things. And the masses might not even realize it or see it but I do. I am so proud of you. Keep running that pretty little ass of yours until it hurts so bad you (censored censored censored). Keep being silly and sassy and everything wonderful that you are. “
And my horrible day just got wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.
One year ago yesterday I ran my third Chicago Rock n Roll Half Marathon. I PR’d by 11 minutes from my second RnR. And, almost 40 minutes from my first. It was a great day. But, not only because of the race. Because of the entire weekend.
You see, it wasn’t just a race DAY. It was a race WEEKEND. I was lucky enough to have friends come in for the weekend AND the race. A long time friend I’ve known for 25 years from St. Maarten. Running his first half marathon. We ran start to finish together. It was awesome. He pushed me when I needed it. I kicked his ass when he was struggling with cramping just before the finish. We crossed hand in hand at the finish. Together. I let him beat me by one second. One second. Because I’m a good friend like that. ;)
Another friend was a casual college friend from freshmen year of college. We randomly reconnected on Facebook. Found a deeper connection with running. She was an absolute dear and hooked us all up for this weekend.
Then two internet peeps. Friends I met online, and became very close with. How amazing, they came in for this race. I couldn’t believe I was going to actually meet them IRL. And, lookie there, they were more amazing in person.
So, 5 kind of strangers, put in a Chicago luxury apartment for race weekend. We talked, we drank, we ran a little race, we drank, we talked, we laughed, we cried, we drank some more. We shared stories. Good ones. Bad ones. We had hugs. Lots and lots of hugs.
We did a little podcast. I got dragged into it as well. I giggled too much. It was fun.
Oh, yeah, and we went to Google, Chicago. One special person had the honor of giving a little speech there. We were like kids in a candy store in that place. Trying to act kewl while jonesing for just being in the building. It was a special little speech. We all cried a bit. We were proud too. Do Epic Shit.
I also shared an amazing moment (ok, maybe a half hour conversation) with the amazing Claire http://rfgr26.tumblr.com/ when I ran into her at medal engraving. We had met briefly before. But, we shared moments here. About running. About life. About us.
It was an amazing weekend. One I’ll never forget. We shared something special that weekend. Because I found that even when I don’t think it, I’m surrounded by people who love me. Even some of whom I’ve yet to meet.
When I took the last person to the airport I was sad. I cried. But, I smiled too.
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened. “ - Dr. Seuss
Oh, yeah…. and I may or may not have been in a strip club at 3 am. But, that’s a story for another day. ;)
Had one of those days. Heavy head. Heavy heart. But, then a stranger, now friend throws some virtual hugs.
And, then another friend returns to ask for forgiveness and give me the hug that I needed to get me out of the funk I was sinking into.
Friends. Near. Far. Real. Virtual. Hugs. Deep breath.
Tomorrow’s another day. I will not let it get me. I will get it.
My Life on the Run.
I run. Then I get injured. Then I run again. I've signed up for Chicago Marathon twice, and DNS either. I wonder if three times is a charm. Sigh.
If it is, this time it won't be Chicago. Sadly. I'm doing my hometown's inaugural marathon. I figure I can literally crawl home if I need to. Or comfortably crawl to the finish, which is my plan.
I've started running again. Baby steps. So far, so good. Praying I don't break. Again. I've also gone back to my roots, swimming. I'm hoping to win the relay portion of my triathlon relay this June. I have a shot. I'm going to take it.
I'm always winging it. I don't know where I'm running from or running to. But, I run. I'll let you know when I get there. Maybe.
www.run2beme.blogspot.com
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