Tough Questions

The White Gazelle asked me what my favorite running memory is--but how do I answer that?
That's like asking someone what his/her favorite song is; there are too many to choose from, too many genres, generations, voices, topics, etc. I've been running for a decade and have acquired hundreds of pleasant memories.

Seventh grade introduced me to running.
Eighth grade is when I fell in love with it.
Ninth grade brought me my first injury, which I overcame and advanced to the varsity level.
Tenth grade introduced me to The White Gazelle.
I met my first burn-out in eleventh.
I peaked and accomplished my proudest moment in twelfth.
Freshman year of college, running saved my life (figuratively speaking).
I began developing my friendship with teammate Kat Grillo my sophomore year.
Junior year, my relationship with the sport was tested, and running and I decided to just be friends.
This year I have spent eighteen weeks training for a marathon with a great friend, one of my favorite accomplishments, and have found someone else with whom I can share my passion.

These are only the most prominent major events that came with a lifestyle that seems to have chosen me, not the other way around. But never fear, more running experiences will be shared in the near future; for instance, I love to tell the Snot-Rocket Story. But I'll let you wonder about that one a little bit.


Shayna asked me about my favorite part of the Disney Marathon I ran with Kat in January. That's a tough question, too. If you're asking about the entire marathon experience, I can honestly say that I've never enjoyed training for any race more than I enjoyed training for my first 26.2. As for the race itself, I suppose my favorite part was running through Magic Kingdom. We reached the park around sunrise, passed the castle, and were suddenly surrounded by Disney characters, scenes from movies, spectators cheering for us as if they knew us, and, of course, serenaded with Disney songs.

I really enjoy the comments and questions. Keep them coming, especially since I've struggled to maintain the motivation to put my thoughts down on paper, or a screen...

Rock 'n' Roll half marathon this Sunday in Dallas! Wish us well.