It Takes a Village
When it's over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
- Mary Oliver
I am officially 33 days away from the Chicago Marathon and $1,750 from my fundraising goal. Like most things in life, except maybe.. monologues... I could never have done this training cycle alone and I most certainly did not. I will be dedicating one post per day from here on out to a person, group, or thing that has helped me in this endeavor. Many of you - you know who you are - have been helping me for years. The gratitude I feel on a daily basis for all of you who go out of your ways to mentor me, listen to me, cry with me, laugh with me, run with me, or just share a bagel with me is palpable. This is for all of you.
Day 33 Hero: Kate
Kate is one of my childhood best friends. I have known her for more than 30 years. It's not even possible for me to put into words what a gem of a human she is, but I can tell you that long ago one of our other friends and I decided that Kate was our litmus test for people - meaning, if someone met Kate and they said they didn't like her (read: only sociopaths), then we'd immediately say there was no need for us to continue that relationship because disliking Kate is a sign you're not a good human. I quite literally strive to be more like Kate on a daily basis. She is kind, compassionate, hysterical, and all-around incredible. If you're having a bad day, it's for certain Kate is there to cheer you up. Indeed, when I was going through my running rut a bit ago, lamenting to Kate my woes, what showed up for me? $10 in my Venmo, urging me to get some ice cream on her. If you're having a great day, it's for certain Kate is there to celebrate with you with an absurd T-Swift gif, some pew-pew texts, and overwhelming joy that is nothing but contagious. Kate and I haven't lived in the same city - let alone time zone - for 20 years at this point, but it doesn't matter. No time passes no matter how much time may have passed; no love is ever lost.
Throughout this entire training, all its ups and downs, Kate has been my steadfast cheerleader. Checking in to see how it's going, sending pep talk texts when needed, and urging good vibes and luck on Sunday mornings before I'm out the door for my long run. I've shared TMI about the amount I sweat with Kate, eaten ice cream on her dime, sent pictures, and leaned on her friendship a lot. It's not overstating it to say that I would absolutely not be the person I am today without Kate in my life, and ipso facto not the runner I am. I could not be luckier or happier that Kate is part of my village.