Shadow Girl

I noticed something this morning on my run. Besides the wine that I was sweating out from last night-Happy Birthday Cassandra! oh dear god the wine...

I noticed the girl in the shadow.

I saw a girl looking back at me that I sometimes forget is there.

Who is that girl looking back at me?

Here's what I came up with.  

She started running when she was in 7th grade. Not good enough for the volleyball team, not good enough for the basketball team, but thank goodness they take everyone and anyone for track!

She feels the bounce of her ponytail and smiles. Thankful that it's there at all after that dreadful 8 inch post pregnancy haircut last summer.

She loves that her wedding ring twirls on her finger as her hands sweat. It reminds her that God truly blesses second chances.

She knows that her body shows the wear of having 4 children. It may never look the same but that's ok. Her heart after 4 children will never be the same either.  

She loves the sweat that comes with running. The kind of sweat that cleanses you from inside.

She pushes for every mile. Not even that. She pushes for every step. Thankful with each step that her lungs fill with air and her legs get stronger with every stride.

She thinks about her to do list but then pushes it aside. Plenty of time for that later. 

She is thankful for the pavement, as it always welcomes her. No judgment for her pace that day or how long it's been since her last visit. Nothing but a wide open space and a firehouse station on the right. Did I mention with the most friendly firemen you have ever met? They always smile and wave to her! Don't tell my husband, he thinks I like running the hill in front of the fire station...

She loves the race but understands that the race is never over. Deep down she would never want it to be.

I have reached the halfway point. 2 miles down. I turn the corner and she is gone. I am facing the sun now and am running home. But  I look forward to seeing her again tomorrow. 

Go run! Find your shadow girl. Tell I said hello.  

Send me a message let me know how she is doing.