#runforbrunch

I struggled to write this. Not because of lack of memories, but for the pure abundance of such great ones. 

Running is one of those things that has brought me the most amazing people. People that have survived through some horrible life events, trials and tribulations but still show up to coach, volunteer at a water stop, be cheerleaders and run. 

For those of you that did not get the pleasure of meeting Cindy, just know that she was a sweet lady that had a fierce determination to not let a diagnosis define her. She was a coach, dispenser of some quality nuggets of advice, professional project manager with a solid tech background and champion of the back of the pack and advocate of just being out on the streets for no matter how short or long. 

When I think about the runs, the races, the laughs and conversations, all I can think is that I am so lucky to have met Cindy for so many reasons. I had the honor for a couple seasons to see her resilience up close. Finding out at her funeral that most of the time she was fighting stage four cancer only made my respect for her resolve even stronger. What a fighter! 

In my memory, a couple races hold some of my favorite memories: 

Running Historic Half, we found a new runner (Nora) that had never run a race before and she was not having a great time. Nora was so worried there would not be medals left. If you have ever been in the back of the pack, you know that this can be a risk. Immediately, Cindy would not let Nora believe they wouldn't have enough. We even reassured her that if they ran our we would run ahead and make sure she would have one of ours. Cindy and I adopted her around mile seven and kept talking her moving for a bit. When we finished, we looked back, gathered the rest of the Richmond contingent to cheer for her as she came in. In my mind, that race is a PR in Being Positive and Running for someone other than yourself. I have no clue what my time was that day, and sure I could dig it up but that wasn’t and still isn’t important. 

Training for an running the Philadelphia Love Run was a really great training season, thanks to Cindy. Normally, she didn’t run on Sundays as she was an active member of her church. However, she came out on a handful of Sundays so that I would have a buddy. We were both a wee bit concerned with the time limit for Love Run. She was trying different treatments for her condition and I was coming off of a marathon. 

On race day, Cindy was more than ready. If anything, I felt like I was the anchor towards the end. I don’t remember what we were talking about but when I think of that day, I have a wash of good feelings come over me. We beat the time limit, we weren’t last ( not that we even cared about that) and we were cheered on by all of our Richmond buddies as we were passed along the course. For the last two miles, I pretty much had Cindy as the rabbit to get to the finish. Her husband Stan, came out to get me across the finish. 

I could write book about the races, the runs, the brunches and all the good feelings I have about our friendship. It’s hard to accept she is gone and that I won’t get another chat about tech and project management or that we won’t get to run past Controversy Corner together or that we wont get another brunch. But there is a sticky sweetness in when you pass a dog on the run and I remember Cindy saying “ We greet all dogs and most people!” or remembering her phrase of “We always run the bridges” or just the wash of good feelings on any given Saturday morning as we roll into City Stadium.