Beautiful writing as always! And such an important message. take the trip, call the friend, eat the donut. And I am so glad I read this after the Zoom call this past week and got to "meet" Jennifer and Clare virtually. Now I know even more about these cool ladies. You are all so inspiring. Also, shout out for the Vermont 100 story......
❤️❤️ This post is so dear to me, and I will be saving it. Though I confess it makes me even MORE bummed out about getting sick and not being able to do the full run or hang out with you. 😞 (As I sit here on Wednesday I’m still totally congested, sneezing, and coughing, so I know I did the right thing in dialing back, but it still sucks.) Thank you so much for traveling all the way here and honoring Keith so well. I keep wishing he could’ve seen the people who gathered, or heard their fond words in memory of him. He could be a difficult person to know, and I don’t think he ever realized how much his close friends really cared for him. It’s such a reminder to tell the people we love how we feel and be there for them (when we’re not contagious - ugh!). And so: I love you my dear friend. Thank you for this post and for always being a part of my life, even when you’re miles away.
Agh, you got me crying. I'm glad I dug up the Tahoe photo with him front and center. I should've had it printed as a life-size cardboard cutout to bring to Skyline Gate! Take care and rest up. You are such a great friend to Keith, me, and many others. See you on Zoom tomorrow!
So happy for you that you took this important memorial trip Sarah! How wonderful to see Coach Al and Len plus all your old running buddies. I always love your writing and the photos that accompany each piece! This was a tender one for sure.
One of the best parts of aging is that our friendships grow with us. Seeing you is always a comfort and joy. I miss our weekly runs but am so grateful that time and distance haven't affected our connection. Always grateful for you.
Thanks for this, Sarah! As you know, I ran many miles on those Oakland/Berkeley hills, back when I lived there. On every single run, I would say a little prayer of thanks to the remarkably prescient people who started the East Bay Regional Parks district in 1934. Thanks to their foresight, one can run, hike, bike for over 1330 miles on trails and see what the hills were like before urban sprawl encroached on the wilderness. It is common to be out on the trails for hours and not see another soul. I'm sorry I wasn't there last weekend to honor Keith, one of my favorite old friends. His passing is an important reminder to never put off reaching out to your loved ones.
Well, the water works got going here. Your column and earlier today was a FB memory of 2011 Beast of Burden. Very bad winds and such a fight to finish. And my friend Joe Reynolds (RIP, 2022), calling and encouraging me through a bullhorn across the Erie canal as I was two miles from the finish. Then his hand on my shoulder sitting in shelter afterwards as I laughed and cried not knowing what to make of it all. One of the things he always said, that comes to mind often when I run is, the good Lord picks them up (meaning feet), and you put them down. He and his wife were RD's of the Finger Lakes 50's for years. It was there in 2005 when I paused after the 25k I had signed up for, that he suggested going out for another loop. "You can always turn back," he said. He knew before I did that I wouldn't and that was my first "ultra". I miss him so and and glad I did tell him I loved him. Thanks, Sarah.
hi, is this the Elizabeth who's Polly? If so and you're a paid subscriber, you can find the zoom link in my most recent bonus post, and also later today I'll email all the paid subscribers a link and reminder. Just join tomorrow, no need to rsvp, thanks!
Thank you, great read! And next time I get to visit Berkeley, I‘ll check out the trails. When I was there in 95/96 I didn‘t run, which I now deeply regret.
That's how I feel about Santa Cruz; I lived there during college from 1986-90 before I became a runner, and I can't believe I missed the opportunity to get to know Santa Cruz trails. Thanks for reading.
Beautiful writing as always! And such an important message. take the trip, call the friend, eat the donut. And I am so glad I read this after the Zoom call this past week and got to "meet" Jennifer and Clare virtually. Now I know even more about these cool ladies. You are all so inspiring. Also, shout out for the Vermont 100 story......
Aww thank you Ali! Thanks especially for joining Thursday's online meetup, great to see you there.
❤️❤️ This post is so dear to me, and I will be saving it. Though I confess it makes me even MORE bummed out about getting sick and not being able to do the full run or hang out with you. 😞 (As I sit here on Wednesday I’m still totally congested, sneezing, and coughing, so I know I did the right thing in dialing back, but it still sucks.) Thank you so much for traveling all the way here and honoring Keith so well. I keep wishing he could’ve seen the people who gathered, or heard their fond words in memory of him. He could be a difficult person to know, and I don’t think he ever realized how much his close friends really cared for him. It’s such a reminder to tell the people we love how we feel and be there for them (when we’re not contagious - ugh!). And so: I love you my dear friend. Thank you for this post and for always being a part of my life, even when you’re miles away.
Agh, you got me crying. I'm glad I dug up the Tahoe photo with him front and center. I should've had it printed as a life-size cardboard cutout to bring to Skyline Gate! Take care and rest up. You are such a great friend to Keith, me, and many others. See you on Zoom tomorrow!
So happy for you that you took this important memorial trip Sarah! How wonderful to see Coach Al and Len plus all your old running buddies. I always love your writing and the photos that accompany each piece! This was a tender one for sure.
Thank you Shannon, love you sis.
🥰🥰🥰 What a bittersweet, beautiful piece of writing. I want to be like Alphonzo and Len when I grow up too. Here’s to hoping 🥰
One of the best parts of aging is that our friendships grow with us. Seeing you is always a comfort and joy. I miss our weekly runs but am so grateful that time and distance haven't affected our connection. Always grateful for you.
Thank you and same to you!
Thanks for this, Sarah! As you know, I ran many miles on those Oakland/Berkeley hills, back when I lived there. On every single run, I would say a little prayer of thanks to the remarkably prescient people who started the East Bay Regional Parks district in 1934. Thanks to their foresight, one can run, hike, bike for over 1330 miles on trails and see what the hills were like before urban sprawl encroached on the wilderness. It is common to be out on the trails for hours and not see another soul. I'm sorry I wasn't there last weekend to honor Keith, one of my favorite old friends. His passing is an important reminder to never put off reaching out to your loved ones.
We missed you, Dave. Yes, I share your gratitude for the conservationists who founded the park system and those who maintain it.
Well, the water works got going here. Your column and earlier today was a FB memory of 2011 Beast of Burden. Very bad winds and such a fight to finish. And my friend Joe Reynolds (RIP, 2022), calling and encouraging me through a bullhorn across the Erie canal as I was two miles from the finish. Then his hand on my shoulder sitting in shelter afterwards as I laughed and cried not knowing what to make of it all. One of the things he always said, that comes to mind often when I run is, the good Lord picks them up (meaning feet), and you put them down. He and his wife were RD's of the Finger Lakes 50's for years. It was there in 2005 when I paused after the 25k I had signed up for, that he suggested going out for another loop. "You can always turn back," he said. He knew before I did that I wouldn't and that was my first "ultra". I miss him so and and glad I did tell him I loved him. Thanks, Sarah.
How do I sign up for the monthly online meetup taking place tomorrow?
hi, is this the Elizabeth who's Polly? If so and you're a paid subscriber, you can find the zoom link in my most recent bonus post, and also later today I'll email all the paid subscribers a link and reminder. Just join tomorrow, no need to rsvp, thanks!
Yes, I am Polly Elizabeth!
My beloved territory. I lived in Berkeley from 1976 to 2014. Spent a lot of time on the East Bay Regional Park trails.
So glad you went. Beautiful post, and yup you never know❤️
Thank you, great read! And next time I get to visit Berkeley, I‘ll check out the trails. When I was there in 95/96 I didn‘t run, which I now deeply regret.
That's how I feel about Santa Cruz; I lived there during college from 1986-90 before I became a runner, and I can't believe I missed the opportunity to get to know Santa Cruz trails. Thanks for reading.
thanks, now I have to go to Santa Cruz as well :)
This was profoundly moving and especially poignant...thank you!
Thank you for reading!