Thursday, November 7, 2013

It's a Small World: A Running Story

Zeitgeist Half Marathon, matching running outfits

The sweet gal between my mom and me in the photo above is named Christie. Today I have a "small world" running story about Christie and her husband Wayne.

Three weeks ago, we were sweating away and coming up on mile 16 in the City of Trees Marathon when we saw this adorable woman bouncing around near Camel's Back Park wearing all black and a bright green tutu. She was cheering like crazy for us, telling us how fun our matching outfits were and sending out words of encouragement. My mom—as she always does—yelled back, "We're mom & daughter! This is our first marathon together!" The woman replied as she jogged next to us for a moment, "Oh my gosh! So cool! My husband is running the marathon with my son, who is 12, and it's his first one, too! You guys are SO AWESOME!" We thanked her, adorable and energetic as ever in her little green tutu, and carried on with our run. Sidenote: we always talk for the duration of our runs—even marathons—and especially with other people on the course, so this wasn't out of the ordinary for us.

Fast forward to last Saturday when my mom and I were standing in line at the port-a-potties before the Zeitgeist Half Marathon. This little fireball of a woman was standing in front of us, being as cute as ever, and one lady commented on how cool her shoes were—if you notice in the photo above, they're the same ones I have (and I also trained in the pink ones for the last several months)—so I couldn't help but butt in and say how much I loved them, too. The woman took one look at my mom and I—dressed in our head-to-toe matching gear and City of Trees fleece sweatshirts—and said, "Oh my gosh! Aren't you two the cutest!" My mom—once again—said, "Mom & daughter!" and the lady immediately said, "Oh my gosh! I was the lady in the green tutu at the City of Trees... you guys were the cute matching ladies! I know you!" And right then and there we found our new running buddy. We ran into her after the race and had to snap a photo... it's such a small world!

Her name is Christie, and she introduced us to her husband Wayne who was there supporting her this time. Christie is a huge runner, and just qualified for the Boston Marathon with a time of 3:40 (she's a rockstar!). And get this, she and her husband own a running company called Final Kick Events. They put on several races around the Treasure Valley including Struttin' for Stuffin' coming up on Thanksgiving and the Hot Chocolate Run on December 28—which I think I just might run! Were they a great couple to run into or what?

Honestly, sometimes this world is just so small... and I'm so thankful for that. This one woman's small gesture of encouragement made such an impact on us, and look where it's going to take us. I see a running partnership in our future! I can't wait to run many of Final Kick's races... and this is coming from the girl who just this past Monday said she was "done" running. It's funny how life works sometimes.

If you're local to the Treasure Valley, make sure to check out Final Kick Events' Facebook page for all the details of their upcoming races. Consider joining me for the Hot Chocolate Run on December 28, won't you?

16 comments:

Kateri Von Steal said...

Hot chocolate run... Oh man.. if you lived closer...



I'd do it.


~Kat

Vicki Garrett said...

How fun that you have a new friend. :) And it is such an incredibly small world. I really admire you for doing all those races. It sounds like fun, but I don't like to run. I will just live vicariously through you while sitting on my couch. ;)

anniewiltse said...

That's too funny, and super awesome! Love the photo of you three! And you and your mom look stinking adorable in your matching outfits.

Cody Doll said...

I knew you weren't done. It would be to hard to stay away now that you are going. =] That is awesome you found a running buddy. I wish my foot was better so I could start running.

Annelise Rowe said...

No kidding! Who doesn't want hot chocolate at the end of a run? Delish!

Annelise Rowe said...

This made me smile so big... races are what make it all worth it (afterward, anyway!)

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks so much, Annie! We LOOOOOVE matching outfits. It's our treat for doing all these races :)

Annelise Rowe said...

Heal up!! :) And I might not be done, but I am with the big races... that's for sure!

Kim said...

Great story! I think the part that impressed me the most was the fact that you and your mom train and race together and wear matching outfits - I love that!!! I hope that my boys will at least run with me as they get older (I won't even make them match me!).

Kelly Ann said...

What a great story!


xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes

Stevie C said...

so cool!! I just signed up for my first half, which i'm going to train to run, because I just want to know I did it... I hope I get cheered on that way!

Annelise Rowe said...

We wear our matching outfits EVERY time we run together :) whether it's an 8-mile run or a 26-miler. :) It's so fun!

Annelise Rowe said...

That's so good, nice work, Stevie. How long until your race?

Cody Doll said...

I am. The probably is I have to go to the foot doctor to get it checked. Once my foot is good though, I am going to out. I figured the big races would be a 1 a year or every 6 month ones. They are intense.

Katie said...

I adore this story. Sometimes living in such a small world is really really awesome. Also all of your running posts are making me want to do a 5k.

Annelise Rowe said...

Katie, you should! 5k's are great because they're not a totally
giant commitment. I believe in you!

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