Leslie Living and Running Behind the Redwood Curtain -------------
Trail Runner Nation
Sally McCrae-Choose Strong
Bare Performance
Marathon Maniac #957
Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."
Great report, fatozzig. You sure are a good friend, the way you helped Karen when she really needed it. I suspect your memories of this race will be more meaningful than most of the ones you ran fast. Congratulations.
TomS
I absolutely loved that race report, you are a good friend to Karen and the memories for sure will last forever! My favorite part of the report was all of the "bleeps". Probably wasn't funny at the time, but sure had me laughing.
Great Job........now about that 50 mile race your going to do. That distance is from my house to Orlando, WOW!
Congrats.......Jewels
"During a marathon, I run about two-thirds of the time. That's plenty." - Margaret Davis, 85 Ed Whitlock regarding his 2:54:48 marathon at age 73, "That was a good day. It was never a struggle."
You were her angel. Country songs, yup that would do it for me too.
She told me she thought I was making up some of the words. No! That's country music, baby!
Thanks for all your comments, peeps. It didn't take long - once Karen got some food in her - before she was laughing about it all, too. Especially when we were relaying the tale to her parents. I, of cousre, had to give my rendition of the meltdown. Classic!
What a a powerful story of friendship and love for running.Thanks for taking us in the journey with you. I admire your strength so much.
"Champions are everywhere; all you need is to train them properly..." ~Arthur Lydiard
Sweet RR Leslie.
There's more than one way to have a good time in a race.
The threat of country music motivates me.
SteveP
jfa
Trails are hard!
Leslie--as nice as you were to stick with Karen, you do have a cruel streak. Country music for a person on the edge of a breakdown? Oh, the humanity!!
As interesting as you make it sound, I think I'll just live vicariously through you and the other ultra folks around here.
Need a fast half for late fall. Then I need to actually train for it.
What is with all you country music haters?? It's classic! It's as American as Mom and apple pie! And I'm good at singing it!!!
Queen of 3rd Place
Finally got a moment to read this (yes, after I picked on you mercilessly to post something) - what a rockin' story! This is really what it's all about, those crazy ups and downs, and friends sticking together, even being able to laugh at being DFL - yeah! Reminds you that you're fully alive!
Arla
Ex runner
This is such a great story of true friendship and support! The relationships we form before, during and after races are a great bonus on top of the joys of the sport itself. I'll bet that you and Karen will be talking about that race for years to come, and it will always be with smiles on your faces.
Thanks for sharing your story. I appreciate the reminder that there are times when you can still be a winner, even without crossing the finish line first.
Jay
Without ice cream there would be darkness and chaos.