I’ve learned a lot about friendship and what it means to be a true friend over the last few months. What does that look like? Sometimes as friends you have to put your own aside your own desires and be there for someone else.
I love to run, now what I really mean is I LOVE race day. I just ran my 6th race this year over the weekend and received my 4th “Bling.” As runners, we are always try to improve our time and to get a PR on race day. Two weekends ago I PR’d on my half marathon when I ran the Biggest Loser half marathon, but I was also able to go back out and encourage my friends to finish their race.
That was my goal for the Fiesta 10k this weekend. I wanted to run as fast as I could and then go back out and find my friends. But all that changed last Saturday while I was sitting on the floor of my besties kitchen. We were just talking and she randomly asks if it was to late to sign up for the race. It shocked me, she doesn’t like running much. As we talked about the race, I had this feeling that I needed to run it with her. I told her that if she would sign up I would run the race with her. She knew what my goal was and tried to tell me no. I told her that running with race with her and crossing that finish line would mean more to me than any PR. So she signed up.
So yesterday we got up at 4:30am and picked up another friend at 5am. I’m so not a early morning person, unless it’s race day. We arrived at the start line and all of our other friends started arriving. We all talked, laughed and took group pictures.
I know Lynsey was nervous, it would be her longest distance to run. We started the race, I will be honest I had a brief moment of “wow I haven’t been this far back in awhile.” Then I thought of my start as a runner. I could barely run 2 minutes without getting winded and having trouble breathing. I thought of my Running Wild coaches and how they encouraged me to keep at it. We all have to start somewhere. Plus we were also running with 3 of our other friends.
I went at her pace. I ran when she ran and walked when she walked. There were times I encouraged her to run a little while longer. We talked and laughed. Little by little we moved forward, passing people. Soon we were at mile 5, 1.2 miles left to go. Two of our friends caught back up with us. That last mile was rough, my knee hurt and her feet hurt. The four of us talked and kept encouraging each other. At the last corner our other good friend was there waiting and her daughter. They started running with us towards the finish line. It was the greatest moment to cross that finish line with my friends.
But then we had a moment when we realized that they had run out of medals. I knew they would mail them but I was sad because it was Lynsey’s first medal. We started talking to our friends and triathlon teammates about the medals. Dave and Patrick took off their medals and gave them to us. I realized then just how blessed I was to have an AMAZING group of friends. The rest of the morning was spent laughing, talking and congratulating all our friends. Lots of my friends PR’d that day. I’m also wicked proud of my friend Rachel, who was one of the last people to cross that finish line, but she stuck with it and finished her race.
This is what I want my life to be about, encouraging others. The world is full of negative people, who will tear others down. I want to be that person, who sees the potential in someone. Who can say to a person “I believe in you”. So Lynsey Jones, thank you for being the best friend a girl could ask for. For always being there for me. My Sole Sister!!!!
~Always, AngieB
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You may never know how much this post was needed. Thank you my friend. In a week where I began questioning myself and struggled with believing in myself, you were there. Thank you.
And bring on the tears….love you more than you know. Sole Sister to the End!!!
Loved that moment of the race at mile five, when we caught up to you and Lynsey and we encouraged each other that last 1.2 miles! Then crossing the finish line together with Nikki, Maddie and Nina running us in!
Loved sharing my first 10k with you and Lynsey! ☺