Runners Runners EVERYWHERE

So, today was my daughter's preschool field trip to the Seneca Park Zoo. Luckily the rain held off and the kids all had a great time.  I got to see some of the moms and dads that I have grown to know over the past two years. Some even greeted me with a hug and congratulations for completing the Flower City Challenge race on Sunday. It was so nice and really unexpected. Some even commented on the picture from facebook and asked me about it. I still fought back tears as I was able to tell my story and reiterateHOW AWESOME NO BOUNDARIES AND FLEET FEET TRULY IS!

Well after lunch it was play time.  I'm standing at the playground, trying to keep and eye on both kids as 50 children of all ages charge the only slide in the park.  Out of nowhere, this woman approached me and said "Awesome job on your race this past weekend".  I took off my sunglasses, said "Thank You" and tried to figure out how the heck she knew I ran on Sunday. Did she hear others say congratulations to me?  Should I know her?  Was I just blanking out because I was focused on my son jumping off the tunnel platform?? I was so confused.

It was those first few awkward seconds of trying not to be rude, while still being engaged in the conversation (especially since she was throwing me all these compliments).  How the heck did she know me?  Was she another fellow NoBo'er?

After a few more seconds of shutting my brain off to the 10 questions I was asking, I started to listen to her go on and on about No Boundaries and how it changed her life, too! 

She told me how she saw my picture on the Fleet Feet Facebook page, saw my name and that it sounded familiar.  She then realized that I was the registrar for her daughter's preschool and when she saw me standing on the playground she needed to come and say "hi".  (Aha, that's how she knows me, she's a fellow parent, andrunner!) 

She went on about how last winter she did the 5K program, then stayed on for 2.0, 3.0 and then felt stuck about what to do next. She feared that if she stopped a running program, she'd lose everything she worked so hard to gain.  (JUST LIKE THE WAY I FEEL RIGHT NOW).  She told herself that the HFM program had to be next on her list and signed up.  Sunday she completed her first half marathon! I was so proud of her, and yet I just met her two minutes ago.

By the end of the conversation I hugged her, congratulated her on her success and realized that I could be just like that in a year. ONE YEAR, CRAZY! I was truly touched that she took the time to come talk to me.  We exchanged numbers and now I have yet another person to go run with.  An instant friend!  How cool!

There are so many inspiring stories that unfold in front of you when you least expect it... AND RUNNERS for that fact.  They are EVERYWHERE!  It's crazy to think that I'm part of this whole new world now, too!  I love it, and would not change a thing!!! What a happy day!!