Yesterday, when I least expected it, I received this amazing email from my bestest friend. See, my bestest friend has been by my side through thick and thin since college days, and that was many moons ago. She's one of those special people who have a heart that's made of gold, hands that are used for helping others (and moving mountains), feet that are good for coming to your rescue, and a mind that's half filled with lists and half filled with so much knowledge that I'm surprised her brain doesn't explode. She's a beautiful woman, strong as ever, compassionate beyond words, an extraordinary mother of two boys, and just simply amazing. She's seen me at my worst, been there when I thought I was near death, been by my side in times of pain (and childbirth), and have always been a rock for me.
This year, we are finally taking a girls weekend getaway in Florida to enjoy some R & R together. What's even more exciting is that we are planning this trip around a 5k race, her very FIRST 5k race!! What's even MORE exciting than that? She has never ran that far, she has never attained that goal, she has never believed she would ever even attempt that goal. But, after years of saying that one day she will conquer a 5k, she is finally doing it. She asked me to put together a plan for her, so I came up with a 26 week training plan on a fancy calendar with lots of pictures, encouraging words, smiley faces, etc., and she is currently on week 7 of the plan and going strong! I've always made training plans for myself, but not someone else, especially not someone who hasn't run before. This was a test for me as well, to sit down and really think about what would be best for her, where to start, how to build her confidence and stamina, and how to get her motivated to keep going and believe in herself. I know her, she's my closest friend, we have a history, so there was lots for me to go on when I made this plan. I know where she falters, I know how she doubts, I know how her schedule can quickly take over her mornings, I know where her treadmill is, I know her husband's work hours, and I know how her lack of confidence shakes and shimmies. So, after 6 weeks of following this plan, she has met every goal we've set, met every challenge, completed each day of training even in the busiest week of the summer, she is doing it!
I was just about to walk into a cafe yesterday when I received this email from my friend, I had to stop before entering the cafe because tears began to build in my eyes (I wasn't feeling up to looking like a fool at that moment, other times it's fine :) ). This is what she wrote,
I feel compelled to share another victory story with my beloved trainer :). First I have to say that I was NOT feeling victorious during my long workout day last week... I'm seriously wondering if I will actually be able to run 3 minutes straight after my performance that day :). BUT the good thing is that I'm starting to reap the benefits of 6 weeks of consistent exercise! Today Bobby and I had to move a couch and dining set up from the basement. During the move I realized was not only carrying heavy loads up the stairs, but I was going fast and not coughing up a lung from the exertion! That, my friend, is why I will keep running :). Thanks for doing this journey with me!!! Love you!
This just made me smile, cry, laugh, and rejoice, all at the same time! I'm so proud of her!! If you only knew how much of a struggle she's gone through, the yo-yo- diets she's been on, the constant weight battles, the huge amounts of self-doubt, then you'd realize just how amazing this accomplishment is. We've still got 20 weeks to go, but she is on the right path and making HUGE strides that she's never done before, and her confidence is building up like a lego tower--one block at a time! She's so FABULOUS!
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