A really special thing happened at work last week.\u00a0 On Tuesday, I was busying myself with tasks at the store, when I heard a voice on the other side of the wall.\u00a0 I smiled and immediately walked around the corner.\u00a0 \u201cI knew I recognized that voice!\u201d I said, as Teri and I quickly crossed the floor towards each other and met in a hug.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just about to see if you were here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
I helped Teri with shoes, called in a pair from one of the other stores and somewhere in the midst of our exchange, I exclaimed, \u201cHey, where\u2019s my book!?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just dropped some off!\u00a0 That\u2019s why I\u2019m here,\u201d she responded.\u00a0 \u201cBut, hang on.\u00a0 Let me get you one out of the car.\u201d<\/p>\n
This is my thank you letter to my friend\u2026<\/p>\n
Teri,<\/p>\n
On Tuesday you made my day when you gave me a copy of your book Powered By Hope.\u00a0 On Wednesday, I started reading it.\u00a0 On Thursday, I finished it.\u00a0 I would have finished it quicker, but ya know, I have three\u00a0young children and they keep asking to eat.\u00a0 There is also the small matter of work and I\u2019m probably not supposed to read for leisure while I\u2019m on the clock.\u00a0 I\u2019m not positive but I\u2019m guessing they frown on that.\u00a0 At any rate, I wanted to write you a note of thanks.<\/p>\n
Thank you.\u00a0 Not just for the book, but for telling your story.\u00a0 Thank you for refusing to give up and for continuing to shine your light.\u00a0 Thank you for taking me, for taking everyone who reads this book, on the journey with you.<\/p>\n
It is no surprise that I was drawn to you when I met you a couple years ago.\u00a0 Anyone who has ever met you, however brief an encounter, can\u2019t help but want to remain in the room with you.\u00a0 In your inscription you mentioned the time we spoke in the lobby at church.\u00a0 I remember that night so clearly.\u00a0 After crying my eyes out through the entire service because of the struggles in my own life (my \u201ccancer\u201d as you would say), I didn\u2019t want to stop talking to you.\u00a0 But when I finally left the building, I was smiling and I distinctly remember thinking, it\u2019s going to be ok.\u00a0 Regardless of how this goes, it\u2019s going to be ok in the end.\u00a0 You always have that effect on me, on everyone. You are the personification of hope.<\/p>\n
As I read your story, I found the parallels of our endurance addiction rather humorous.\u00a0 When I read about your first marathon in 2002, I almost picked up the phone to text you. \u00a0I thought of how I took to those very same streets in Chicago just the year before for my first marathon, and finished in just over 4 \u00bd hours\u2026only minutes behind your initial marathon time.\u00a0 \u00a0And the disastrous story of your first triathlon sounds more than just a little familiar.\u00a0 I swam all of twice before I hopped in the waters of Lake St. Louis a couple years ago.\u00a0 The big difference being you had already mastered that skill, I was just scared and I hadn\u2019t learned to ask for help.\u00a0 Then I jumped on an antiquated Trek, (my shifters were on the down tube, seriously.)\u00a0 On a non-athletic note, just like you, I was at one time a self-declared non-hugger\/non-crier.\u00a0 But again that was all based on fear.\u00a0 Fear of exposing my own vulnerability. \u00a0Fear of letting anyone see who I really am.<\/p>\n
While I learned the details of your story, I cried at least a thousand tears.\u00a0 Because the people you speak of, your family and friends, are not just characters in a story, they are real people with real emotions.\u00a0 When I read of Kati\u2019s reaction to the news, I cried for the girl I had helped with shoes last summer.\u00a0 When I read about your mom Laverne crying as she sat between you and JoAnn at chemo, I thought of the sweet, vivacious, white haired lady that came into my store just a few weeks ago.\u00a0 I loved her immediately.\u00a0 Helping Teri\u2019s mom is like helping a celebrity.<\/p>\n
I remembered last summer, sitting on the floor of FLEET FEET as Kati tried on shoes.\u00a0 I mentioned that some friends were trying to convince me to go with them to volunteer at Ironman Arizona so that we could register for 2014.\u00a0 I scoffed at the idea. How in the world could a working, single mom find time to train for an Ironman? But I remember you saying, \u201cJust think about it.\u201d\u00a0 And I knew at that instant it was a done deal.\u00a0 Show me where to sign on the dotted line, because it is impossible to say the words \u201cI can\u2019t\u201d to Teri Griege.\u00a0 If Teri can do it, well then you better believe I can give it a try.<\/p>\n
I loved what Mimi said in her Caringbridge entry\u2026\u201dyou must be scared before you can be courageous.\u201d\u00a0 When I ran into you at church, and when I began the journey of triathlon, I was still in the stages of admitting my fears and trying to find my courage. \u00a0You say throughout the book, there are no coincidences.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think it was a coincidence that I met you in FLEET FEET.\u00a0 It\u2019s not a coincident that our second meeting was at church.\u00a0 And it\u2019s not a coincidence that I saw you shortly after crossing the finish line of my very first triathlon.<\/p>\n
I also don\u2019t believe that it\u2019s a coincidence that I have joined on as a part of your army, nor that you are a part of mine.\u00a0 I won\u2019t compare my struggles to yours, it\u2019s not even a contest.\u00a0 My struggles don\u2019t make me question my own mortality.\u00a0 But they did, for many years, make me deny who I am, which as you are well aware can also be quite devastating.\u00a0 But from that time I met you at church, I have felt that you are cheering me on every step of the way to becoming who I truly am.<\/p>\n
Triathlons have taught me so much about myself.\u00a0 I\u2019ve learned that the things in life that scare me, won\u2019t drown me, unless I let them.\u00a0 I\u2019ve learned that I hold the power to excel at things I\u2019ve never even tried, if I set my inadequacies and fears aside and apply myself with dedication, perseverance and passion.\u00a0 And I\u2019ve learned that there are things in life that bring me joy and those are the things I\u2019m going to focus on in the journey to find my courage.<\/p>\n
A couple weeks ago, I was out for a long run and I hurt my back.\u00a0 I was terrified that it was so bad it might take me out of the game this year, take away my chance at Ironman Arizona.\u00a0 I lay in bed that night, crying and praying, \u201cGod, please don\u2019t take this away from me.\u201d\u00a0 The thing I was once scared to try, I am now afraid to lose.<\/p>\n
Teri, you are literally, the reason I agreed to give Ironman Arizona a go.\u00a0 I don\u2019t ever want to take for granted the gift I have been given.\u00a0 I don\u2019t ever want to stop stepping outside of my comfort zone.\u00a0 And like you, I want to inspire others to do the same.\u00a0 Now that I\u2019ve found my courage, I can honestly say, I can\u2019t wait to hear those infamous words when I cross the finish line in Tempe on November 16.<\/p>\n
Thank you, Teri, for your story.\u00a0 For your never quit attitude. \u00a0For your joy. \u00a0For your inspiration.\u00a0 For your encouragement.\u00a0 And especially, thank you for helping me find my courage.\u00a0 For that, I am forever grateful to you my friend.<\/p>\n
Much love and gratitude,<\/p>\n
Lindsey (aka-Rambling Runner Girl)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
*Note: To preorder your copy of Teri\u2019s book Powered By Hope: The Teri Griege Story written by Teri Griege with Amy Marxkors, visit:\u00a0 https:\/\/secure.mybookorders.com\/Orderpage\/1382<\/a><\/p>\n