My Mom came down to visit me in Austin for the last couple of days. Yesterday as we were walking around downtown I said, “I will always be a small town girl, but man, there is something about being in a busy downtown that gives me a bit of spark too.”
I was raised in rural America. The kind of place where you leave your doors unlocked without fear of belongings being stolen. You can count on your neighbors to watch over your property while you are away. Your best friends are the ones who may have been born 1 month after you and are still the ones you call first in good and in bad times. Their parents are your second parents and their grandparents request you stop by their house when you are home.
I wouldn’t change where I grew up for anything, but when it was time to decide where to apply for college, I was ready for BIG. Naturally, I applied to Arizona State in Tempe where class sizes were bigger than the population of my hometown and in total, one of the biggest universities in America. I landed an internship downtown. I was living out the city life and it was everything I always imagined – heels, business, tall buildings. Except I missed the snow. Perhaps Chicago and NYC would have been better options.
I enjoyed my time in Arizona, but I lost who I was. I was caught up in a lifestyle that was not for me. I was raised on the principle that the most important things in life, aren’t actually things. My parents were always some of the first people to lend a helping hand, to encourage outdoor activities and to give their time to coach and support local sports teams. They taught me loyalty is rare (so be loyal), to always be reliable (if you are not 10 minutes early, you are late) and the importance of community (inclusivity).
Running shares identical qualities. This is why I love running so much. Sure, it’s fun to see how much faster I have gotten over the years but pace isn’t what keeps me showing up. It is the community. My friends who spend mornings running with me when it is 90% humidity, 90 degrees and it is only 6 am. They don’t care that I am completely drenched in sweat or have last seasons shoes. We are grateful to have someone next to us. Pettiness is out the window. When I’m having a day, I find peace with being outdoors. Seeing familiar faces on the trail brings me joy.
After my time in Arizona, I knew I never wanted to be fall back into that lifestyle. Anytime I feel like I am slipping, I repeat to myself “Roots and Wings”. It is my reminder to fly fearlessly, see where you can go but never forget what matters most. I’m not sure what my life would like if I would have been raised in any other community and quite frankly, I do not want to know. There’s a sign as you enter my hometown of Condon, Oregon that reads “It’s the people”. I feel the same about running, “It’s the runners”!
Cheers!