There's a woman in my neighborhood who walks a lot. I've seen her around and we usually chat a bit when we pass each other. Unless I'm running a specific workout, I like the break of chatting with her, mostly, I imagine, because there is rarely anyone to chat with in my neighborhood. There are only a handful of people who walk regularly and maybe one or two other runners but that's about it.
So anyway, I see this woman out and about a lot -- sometimes with one or both of her sons, sometimes alone. Two weeks or so ago when I was out for a run, I saw her and her younger (10-ish?) son and noticed something different. They weren't walking. They were running. Running! We crossed paths on one of the hills and gave each other a happy, hearty, "Hi!" Well, the son didn't. He was focused. But the woman and I did.
The other day I saw her again, alone. Again running. Again we crossed paths and again we said, "Hi." I also gave her two thumbs-up because I'm dorky like that. A little later in the run, we crossed paths again and this time we stopped to chat. I said something really deep like, "Hey, you're running today!" And she proceeded to give me the best compliment. She said something about how she kept seeing me out running and enjoying it, even when I was running up all the big hills and she just thought she should give it a shot. So she did!
Really? I inspired you to run? Holy cannoli!
She's doing a walk/run combination now and liking it. At some point, she said, she hopes to be able to run all the way up the hills like I do. She also said how she wished she had gone to the Freihofer's Run for Women last month (the big all-women 5k in Albany) and I went on and on (probably for too long) about how awesome the race is, how amazing it is to run with all women, blah, blah, blah. We chuckled together like old pals. She asked a question or two and I shared some advice. Then we each set off on our own way, in opposite directions.
I ran home with a buoyancy in my step uncharacteristic of the end of a run. I was just so happy that I had maybe had a little something to do with this woman starting to run. I think that's the coolest. Absolutely the coolest.
Happy Monday, everyone!
~ Felice
Monday, June 29, 2009
The best compliment.
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41 comments:
Wow! That's so cool! Good for her for starting something new and good for you for inspiring her!
-Kayla
seekaylarun.blogspot.com
Absolutely the best compliment for sure... way to go inspiring the neighborhood moms!! :D You rock too!!!
That is awesome. Such a cool feeling I'm sure. Keep us posted on her progress.
Amazing comment. You never know who you will inspire. I am sure there have been many others, you just don't know.
That's so cool! :) You are an inspiration Mrs. Happy Runner!
Ha ha on a completely random note, the word verification is:
Swedi. ha ha SWEATY! :)
Hey that's great, no wonder you had some spring in your step at the end!
Nice! I'm not surprised that you inspired her to run...you inspire ME and I don't even live in the same time zone as you!
How awesome! And you probably made HER day by sharing your enthusiasm!
What a great feeling to have inspired someone to run. You must make it look good.
That's awesome! Now that you know you're her inspiration, it will help motivate you too.
Great story!
Non-runners - they're one reason that I try not to frown when the running is really hard! That, and I don't want to waste any muscle strength!
SUCH a great compliment :)
That is so cool!! It's great motivating people, isn't it? Such a nice compliment.
That's awesome! Good for you. I hope she does the race next year. :o)
That is such an awesome compliment!! Good for you! Thanks for the advice on how to fuel for long runs!
You're right, that is a great compliment!
That is the best compliment ever! Congrats on being an inspiration!
Super duper cool!! Inspiring people, even ones your barely know is a result of doing something you love with a smile..
That's awesome. That's how I felt when someone told me that they were looking into the same career as I have. Thanks for reminding me for another reason to smile at people when I'm running, I'm usually a waver!
That is amazing!
ohh that is the complete best thing ever! it's totally my goal to help inspire others to enjoy a healthy life
that is VERY cool. :-)
I think that's the coolest too. Just goes to show we never know how we're going to inspire people.
That's AWESOME! you inspired her!
That is so inspiring that you inspired someone else to run!
Wow, I love that!
it's great to be an inspiration, especially when you are necessarily trying to be....
Ha, I keep saying you were an inspiration...now you actually have proof! Congrats! It is really really an awesome feeling.
how cool!! you are definitely an inspiration virtually to me, and i love that you have a real-life encounter too :) very very cool!
That is so great! What a nice compliment!
Aww that is awesome! It's great that you inspired the mom AND the son to run! You've inspired me to tackle some hills :)
Great story!
Hey shoot me an email w/ your mailing address, you won my giveaway (@ Lil Runner)
That's a really great compliment!
That's absolutely awesome!!
Walkers who see me run are probably deterred by the pained look on my face & the gimpy stride :)
Wow! That has got to be the best compliment for a runner!
How awesome you must have felt! You made me smile with that story.
I've followed your blog for awhile and think you're cool. Running is so personal sometimes, it feels good when others notice. Glad you were recognized for your efforts.
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I use a 50x34 with an 11-27 in the back. I spin out the 50x11 only on reasonably fast downhills and flat sprints that have a very strong tailwind. I use the 34x27 more often than I would like to admit if I am on a sustained climb that is steeper than 7%, and I don't want to hammer it.
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