'Something' Mondays

Ok so I have this idea to, from time to time, feature someone I know who has rocked it out athletically and in a unique way. And since Mondays usually blow, I think Mondays are a good day to feel inspired. But I can't come up with anything punny or cute as a moniker, sooooo ideas are welcome!

Well there are less than two hours left in this week's Monday and I'm determined to get this going! So this week you can be inspired on Tuesday, which--as my dear friend Nicole oft declares--is the new Monday. (I tend to agree.)

The first person who came to mind when I was throwing this whole new outlook together is my running blogger friend Claire. I'm not so sure she'd be thrilled to be up on my pedestal today but tough cookies!!

Anyone that spends any significant time around me has heard of barefoot running. Not because I do it, but because I wanna. Well Claire does it. And not just like to be cool or something. She literally runs barefoot, runs barefoot well, and has even decided to march in a bucket o' gravel to maintain her sweet barefeet (she's not crazy, people do this!) in the "off-season"...I use air quotes because in Claire's world there IS no off-season! She runs in the bitter cold and snow (YUP! Barefoot!)

Our story began last year...she somehow discovered my own blog and it turned out we both were determined to train for our first half marathon despite kinda being newbies to the game, more or less. She always gave me the best pep talks, pep types? Well our Halfs were on the exact same day and it was pretty cool having someone going through the same thing I was that day. Very exciting. Also very cool that we basically got the same time! But speaking of times, what I especially wanted to point out about Claire is that it's not really about numbers and schedules. Oh sure she's got her numbers and schedules! But underneath it all is this absolute FIRE. Her running career isn't completely driven by numbers (like mine might have been), but by this undying passion to run. If anyone ever thought I was motivated, well you've got another think coming. This girl ain't messin!

And guess what? She uses her power for good! She's trained a bunch of newbies to run their first 5Ks...people who never thought they'd ever run. Like ever. She has inspired her own family too! It's like she exudes this addicting running elixir!!! There are some of us out here who inspire people in a general way. These people might say to themselves: "I wish I could do that" or "I should get off my lazy ass like they do." But with Claire, there's no wishing or shoulding or even TRYING. It's freaking go time.

She's Yoda.

And that's what I love. I won't go into her personal deets, but like many she inspires, Claire came from a place where running was daunting. Daunting because of wavering confidence in ability and the effort that would be involved. I think we all can relate to this. If anything is more inspiring than someone taking charge of her life, her health, and passing it on to others with excitement, encouragement, without a smidge of ego, and just enough tenacity to kick you in the ass when you need it...I mean seriously. Can I have a sip??

Have you ever seen Up in the Air? Do you remember the backpack? We can only fit the most important stuff in there before it feels way too heavy and those straps slice into our already burdened shoulders. Well Claire is one of those people I want to keep in my backpack. I want her there for my lowest lows because I will absolutely find my way back up. And I want her there for my highest highs because she will ALWAYS be proud of me. Never jealous or competitive. And she'll keep me grounded!

And that's precisely what I want these...um...'Something' Mondays to be about: People I want to take with me. It's not even about running anymore, is it? It's about the kind of person I'd like to be all the time, every time.

Thank you Claire...I hope you continue to inspire others as you've inspired me!

'Obsessed' is how the unmotivated describe the dedicated.