A B.R.A. send off and then some...

This weekend I made my final trek over to B.o.B's for a long(ish) run and my B.R.A. Goodbye Party. It was a bittersweet visit; on the one hand I couldn't wait to see and catch up with everyone, but on the other I was going to be saying goodbye to my adoptive running family...

Friday night B.o.B & I had a gloriously yummy dinner at Coach T & V's house before hitting the hay for a long(ish) run in the a.m. I laid awake most of the night, as I have most nights lately, reading and thinking about all the other nights I've stayed in this room; long run eve's, race eve's, so many memories of my room at B.o.B's with it's futon, Lloyd hair, broken vacuum cleaners, large empty tv box I use to keep the door open in the mornings, the table lamp I always try to turn on that doesn't work and her bike with the shark horn. *sigh* I'm going to miss that room.

Saturday morning it was up and at 'em at the late hour of 6 a.m., which any regular here knows is WAY late for us to start a run, to meet up with the rest of the B.R.A. runners for a long(ish) run. Everyone had a 10 M on deck but wary of the Lankle and my lack of mileage lately I decided I would run to the 3.5 M mark and then turn back. The "Funky Foursome" as P-Funk has dubbed us, hit the ground running and got caught up on all our adventures since we've last met. At the watering hole I parted ways with Hollster and P-Funk and at the last second B.o.B decided to join me for the shorter run because she was having her own issues. We ran along just chatting until things got a bit discombobulated with 1.5 M to go. How fitting our last run together would end up this way, we just laughed it up on into the finish and then waited on the rest of the peeps.

Like every long run, we headed over to Panera to eat and chat away the morning. Listening to Cap't Nuts & Carribbean Steve bicker over Ragnar while P-Funk played H.R. & Hollster just smiled made me realize just how much I loved this merry band of misfits that I have come to call family. After breakfast and because B.o.B had to work, Hollster, P-Funk & I decided to get together and pass the time on the river and head out to the Bay. I was so happy to spend some quality time with the girls, if only B.o.B hadn't of had to work it would've been d@mn near perfect!



After the boat it was time to get ready for the B.R.A. party! Most of the regulars made an appearance and even a new runner that I had met for the first time that morning came. We all stuffed our faces, cracked jokes, gave Shorty-Shorts a hard time, retold race recaps... it was like a post long run breakfast only later and less smelly.

At one point in the night Coach EK called us all to order and gave a moving speech about how I came to the B.R.A. and became an honorary member before presenting me with an official B.R.A. running shirt signed by everyone framed in a shadow box with the words "Family" painted across the front. I def got a little choked up.


All to soon the night came to an end and it was time to say Goodbye. Two short years ago, while working together B.o.B and I decided to go for a run after work. We did this a few times and then she moved. We lost touch. Then, around the beginning of 2009 we reconnected over running once again and that is when running brought us closer together despite the distance between us. Shortly thereafter we started the adventures of B.o.B & the Redhead, treking over to each other's houses for long runs and in due time she introduced me to the ecclectic members of the B.R.A. Since then I've spent significant hours and miles with them, sharing my secrets, aches and pains, victories and defeats and everything else in between. Coach EK has helped me evolve into the runner I am today with his coaching and training plans. Coach T & V have shown me how to embrace life and love. Carribbean Steve has reminded me that if you keep it simple you'll always be happy. Navy Steve & Strawberry-E taught me how to dig deep when I don't think I have anything left. Cap't Nuts taught me... wait what did he teach me? LOL! Shorty-Shorts taught me to run fast means to wear shorty-shorts and plenty of axe. Speedy Jess taught me to always find my inner cheerleader. P-Funk taught me the importance of H.R. and making the most out of every situation. Hollster taught me how to pace myself but also know when to take a chance. Collectively you've become such an important part of my running career and together we've had some great memories including, my first 22 miler, Ragnar Leg 1, Leg 2 & Leg 3, 22 Miles of Confidence building before Gasparilla, and especially the Gasparilla Marathon. Thank you B.R.A. for accepting me into your lives, runs and hearts. I love you guys!

Then there's B.o.B... without whom I would never have met the B.R.A. Together we learned how to believe in ourselves and find our inner awesome even when Negative Nancy was creeping around trying to rain on our parade. We've laughed and cried, stayed up too late and got up too early, braved harsh weather conditions, injuries and marathons. You've done so much for me and been there with me through so many life changing moments that "Thank you" just doesn't seem words enough to express how grateful I am to have you in my life.


"Thank you for being a friend. Traveled down the road and back again. Your heart is true, you're a pal and a confident..." - Golden Girls til the end B.o.B & Red

T-Minus 4 days til D-Day...