Berta...

Today is my bestie's birthday.  Today, I dedicate my blog to Berta.  Happy Birthday Berta!

I am so proud of her.  Back in 2007 or 2008 (we have bad memories) we ran our first 5K together.  It was the local Sunflower Fest in September.  I had run races before and I was able to talk Berta into running with me.  We used to walk very early in the morning; then one day we decided to run.  She threw her back out. We didn't run for a long time.  

For some odd reason, we decided to try again.  We trained and trained...ran and ran some more.  We ran when the rest of the world was asleep.  We ran hills and through the wind.  She struggled with her breathing and kept telling me she couldn't do it.  I told her she could.  We struggled as we ran from one mailbox to the next mailbox.  I begged her not to stop; I knew she could do it.  Each day she could run just a little bit farther and a little bit faster.  I stayed by her side until I realized she didn't need me anymore.  I knew she could do it.  I usually was not far in front of her and she could focus on my red pony tail blowing in the wind.  I distinctly remember the day, she passed me and finished before I did.  The girl who couldn't run.  I knew she could do it.

We started running a 5K every month.  We started the year with the YMCA run in March. We graduated to 10K's and 12K's.  We did street runs, beach runs, trail runs and color runs.  We did bridge runs and tower runs.  We ended our year with the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day.  One year we did a 10K on Thanksgiving and it was by far the worst race we have ever run.  It was cold, raining AND snowing.  Then the next year on Thanksgiving, we accidentally ran the 5K instead of the 10K.  We were disappointed for about 10 seconds as we made our way to get our annual Starbucks after the race. 

We have gone through more running shoes than we care to count.  Nike outlet became our favorite store.  We used the latest running gadgets to keep track of our miles and the goo to keep on track with our energy.  We have had spills, blisters and lost toenails.  We have run in freezing cold and horrific wind.  We have run from dogs and raccoons.  We would wake, hoping that if we checked our phone that the other would cancel, only to climb out of bed, lace up those running shoes and meet our partner.  We loved to hate it and we hated that we loved it.  

Last year, I had a bright idea that we should run the Flying Pig Half Marathon in Ohio.  I talked Berta and Belinda into running it with me.  We started training in January.  By the end of January, I had to drop out because of a hip injury.  I never was able to run that race.  She and Belinda trained and trained and ran and ran some more.  It's not the half marathon that kills you, it's all the training!!  I watched her cross the finish line.  I knew she could do it.   The girl that couldn't run.  

I have to give a huge shout out to Belinda too because she has been running with Berta since I have been unable.  Berta and Belinda are running another half marathon in Indy this weekend.  They have been training since the beginning of summer.

The girl that couldn't run.  I knew you could do it.  The truth is, I couldn't have done it without YOU!

 

The Color Run

Happy Birthday Berta!