How did that work out for you?

This is the second time I've started the story:

Long story short:

Okay, I lie, this is a LONG story - no way about it.

The simple answer:  It worked out better than I could have even imagined.

Thank YOU for rescuing me.

Oh, I thought you rescused me......

The man who claims me as his little sister is in church last Sunday.  It's my birthday.  He stands up in church and he tells everyone it's my birthday.  His wife tells the "congregation" "Even though he has lived in this town his ENTIRE life, and yes, he knows you all know he doesn't have a little sister, he adopted her.  I'm sure they were thinking the heat had hit him(afterall, he lives in Texas).  They all pray for me.  (and as usual, I'll take every prayer I can get.)

I woman walks up to him after church and asks Tim:  "You adopted a little sister?"  "How did that work out for you".  And accoding to Tim - he said, "it worked out realy nice" 

Let's see:  Tim D:  Your two sons were in my wedding.  I was in your wedding, your daughters wedding - WITH my two sons, your youngest calls me ever Mother's Day and I've swam in the ocean with your grandkids. 

There is SOOOO much I could say right now.  The real answer is really simple:

IT worked out well.......

On the journey to Athens

Before I start the real story - I have to finish the last story.

I fly from Denver to Newark and meet my friend Laurel.  And really, the first thing I remember telling her - "please don't be surprised when my running buddy shows up in Athens".... :-)

Second Running Buddy

"I just ran a half marathon in Fort Collins - I can run with you".  Short. Simple. To the point.  No mis-trust.  He wanted to run.  A few e-mails, ok, let's meet.  Highline canal????  Sorry, I can't meet you there.  I'm a Craigslist junkie, but really - a secluded running trail?  Nope!  Can you meet me in Wash park?  We all feel better.

We run.  We run again.  We run on the highline canal.  I hire him an assistant.  I'm sad when the summer passes and we have to stop our running - he's going to France - I'm going to Greece.  It was truly "monumental" - not sure if that is the right word.  We run the Denver half marathon - and pacing at 9:45 as we crossed the finished line, well, "this is as good as it gets!"  "I can't go any faster".......

We say our good-bye's.  We say our thank-you's.  Some how at this moment, whatever we say is not going to be enough.

Two weeks from today, I'm running my first marathon.  Greece 2010  - October 31, 2010.  I can't believe you aren't going!!!  We've run together.  We've trained.  You even registered!!!!  AND you have run a marathon!!!  Really???? 

I'm going to run a marathon

Notice I didn't say, 'I want to run a marathon'; I'm going to run a marathon.  Greece 2010 - the 2500th (twenty-fifth hundred anniversary of the orginal running from Marathon to Greece).  If I'm ever going to run one, well this is the one.

Download a running plan.

Ok, Laurel lives in DC, I need someone to keep me motivated........

Running Buddy #1:  Let's meet at the Firehouse at Wash Park.  Okay.  I'm hung over.  Me, not him.  Two laps around the park.  2.3 miles each lap - run 4 min,walk 1.  We run.

You are not inspiring me.  I need to push you.  I need you to push me.  I like you immediately.  I hate you almost a second after..... 

WOW!  What can I say???? To the guy I would pick up at 4:45 am to run with me and then throw out of my car.  I have never thrown ANYONE out of my car.  Thank you. for inspiring me.  Thank you for some how wanting me to come pick you up.  And as you said, I never once didn't want to run. Of course, it was after the first few months.  And really, I needed you as much as you needed me.  SO - you are welcome. and thank you.  Thank you for helping me help you.

Where are we going next?

Oh, by the way, you need to meet my other running buddy........

I need a running partner

For those of you that don't know, there are TONS of running groups out there. (www.meetup.com - search running in _______(your city).  In fact, there are TONS of groups out there for everything in the world you might be interested  (polka dancing, wine tasting, etc). Let's face it - those groups can be intimidating.  Especially intimidating if it is something new for you.  What do most people do?  They don't go.

Even if you do go, MOST groups are very inviting, very nice, but you still don't go back.  It's outside your comfort zone.  SO, what do you do???  Most of us do nothing.  Or complain. 

Me - well, and once again a friends suggestion, I run an ad on Craigslist . I know, I know - much danger has been reported in the news about Craigslist.  Take precautions. 

I place an ad: STRICTLY PLATONIC.  m4w  - I need a running partner.  I'm slow.  I live near XXXXX, I have a flexible schedule, but cannot commit to a running group every Tuesday (insert day of week here) night (lunch, morning, etc).  I'm running my first marathon in October.  I need someone to train with - I want someone to push me.  I have a flexible schedule, but need to run during the day.

That's it = and quite honestly I ran the ad under women for men.  I have tons of wonderful female friends. It seems all my guys friends have disappeared (ie - married) and most of their wives don't understand I truly am JUST A FRIEND - (but that's another story). 

As you can imagine, my e-mail box was full.  Not all offering running help!  I want to run, I want train and I need help.  Really, that's it!  Ran with one guy, we ran, then I started receiving e-mails about wine choices. Look, I love wine - but I want a running partner.

I answered several other ads, but only met to run with two others.  And let me tell you, did we run......