Running Buddies

Last weekend I had the privilege of being the running buddy to a 5th-grade girl in a 2-mile run. Both Sarah and Pam, my usual running buddies, also participated in the fun run. I just have to say how impressed and inspired I was by my little buddy, Hayley. She was so much fun and totally determined to run all two mile, a feat she had never completed before. As we began our run, I told her we could go as fast and as far as she would like, and she responded by saying, "I like running fast and I am going to run the whole way this time." She kept to her word. Toward the end of the second loop of the race, there was an approaching hill. As we got closer, Hayley asked me, "Can we make it up there?" Of course, I said, "Yes!" and that was all the encouragement she needed. She picked it up and marched right up that hill with a determined smile on her face. I was so proud! Toward the end of the run, Hayley began complaining that her side hurt. I offered to stop and walk with her but she wouldn't do it. She wanted to run the whole 2 miles. As we approached the finish, I could tell she was in pain, but she never stopped, not once, and this is a girl who has never run 2 miles before.