Are you ready for it?

Where do I begin?

Running is a HUGE part of my story. Okay, it’s actually YUGE*. My bad, y’all.

I have incorporated running into my exercise and conditioning regime my entire life.

Yet, here I am posting funny memes on Instagram saying…

My first memory with running, PE, athletics and realizing I was a leader in all of those areas was my 5th grade graduation ceremony.

I went to Lakemont Elementary School in Winter Park, FL. I could probably tell you the address, start date and graduation date. I have an insane memory… But I won’t bore you with semantics.

I have many points to make! But let’s get to the first one.

At my 5th grade graduation ceremony, I won the PE award. I have no idea why. I had no idea how. Me?

PE? There must be a mix-up.

I was an extremely competitive and talented dancer.

At least once a week I was told “dance isn’t a sport. It’s a form of art.”

Twenty-somethin’ years later I am here to inform you all.

That is a lie. One of the BIGGEST lies I’ve ever been told.

And I’ve been lied to. A LOT.

So, because I wasn’t an “athlete,” my 5th grade graduating self is thinking, “that’s strange. Why would they select ME for this award?”🥇

I have had many, many years to reflect on this.

It’s because actually, I was an athlete. I was positive. I was a leader.

Okay, I’ll just say it. I was the Fifth Grade Queen of Physical Education.

I’m sorry. I know the country is divided, very much so currently.

Every day. Every hour. Every minute.

Every. Second.

So, some of you think men can’t be called Kings. Women can’t be called Queens.

But here you are, naming 17 pronouns I’ve never heard of to describe yourself.

Saying there is a new gender every 6 months.

Not knowing what gender you are.

But I cannot call myself what I feel I am? Hmmm. Very interesting.

Things that make ya think!

I can be whoever and whatever I want to be. Why? Because I am a believer. I am a dreamer. I am a doer.

I tend to spread those traits to anyone around me.

That is how I found and stuck with this great group of women. Some of us have been friends for more than 12 years now. Others of us just me!

Running may have brought us together.

But our passion is truly what led us to each other in the first place.