I write this with a heavy heart today. When I say that runners are a different breed, I truly mean that. As most of you know, or have heard through the grapevine, I have had a pretty rough week. I have lost yet again someone who has had a ridiculously large impact on my entire being. I don’t write this today though to make anyone sad, but rather to encourage and inspire.
Bill Corporon, as long as I can remember has been one of my biggest fans. I’m talking, through broken bones, weight gain, weight loss, depression, sickness, lungs collapsing, mental breakdowns, singing, dancing, fishing, you name it; he has been there all along.
When I was younger I was a chubby ole gal. Kara( my sister) was always the top of the pyramid type cheerleader/bootlegger(pom squad, no she wasn’t a smuggler of alcohol), straight A student, and absolutely gorgeous. I was just your B average chubby kid, friends with more boys( some things do not change) , tomboy. I always compared myself to my sister. Bill would always tell me “ one day you’re not going to be the chubby girl, Kasi you’re going to be great.” I would always shake my head in disbelief and move on about my day. He taught me how to be on stage, and how to present myself whilst his wife helped me be a lady even when my tomboyish ways were telling me to resist…(little does she know I was always scared of her) and run down to the pond. Had it not been for Bill and Melinda, and of course my own mother, who knows how I would have turned out…I’m getting a little off track, stay with me.
People say very rarely do tigers change their stripes, however I am a tiger that most definitely changed hers. Bill knew that I would. I’ve changed my entire world, and a lot of that came from running. It has taught me discipline. It’s taught me the mind is a powerful thing. It’s taught me that no matter how hard I work ( at anything) sometimes disappointments will happen. It has taught me to enjoy the silence( although my running partner, Stephen would probably scratch his head in disbelief at that comment). Running has taught me not to give up even when it feels impossible. It’s taught me that rest days are absolutely needed and well lets just say there are numerous things I’ve learned , trust me I can go on. But as I think about this list of things, I think about how I have applied it to life outside of running.
This week, has definitely proven to be a difficult one for me. Between trying to get ready for a marathon in what, like, 9 or so days….and work, and funerals, and games, and life in general….I have barely had time to think straight let alone, take a shower, feed my dogs, and clean my house for guests at the end of the week….but then…I start thinking about running. Oh how I love to run. I start thinking about everything. And I realize, through this entire last few weeks….my best friend, has been with me all along.. the pavement, and my shoes, the wind and the sun… and I remember how blessed I am. Bill was so proud when he saw me last. He was proud of how I had grown as a person, and at what I had accomplished. He always knew I would make more of myself, it just took me a while to see it.
At this point I cannot even imagine my life without running. It’s way cheaper than therapy…and what I can’t beat out on the road, I have amazing people to listen along the way.That being said, I also can’t imagine my life without knowing the Corporons. The love from other runners I have received via text, calls, hugs, dinners, and runs this week is overwhelming and I am ridiculously appreciative of everything and everyone. Like I said..runners are a different breed, and they definitely take care of their own. In the last couple of years I have realized I am much stronger than I thought I was…I just have to pace myself…in everything… There is no finish line in life. When it’s done its done. What legacy you leave behind is up to you. Bill and Reat both had such an impact on everyone they were around. If you knew them, you absolutely know what I am talking about. Bill taught me to be proud of myself, and to keep working towards my goal…encourage others, and to spread kindness. It makes EVERYONE feel better, including myself. Tomorrow are the services for these 2 wonderful wonderful men that were taken way too soon by an act of ignorant violence…and whilst I could sit and muddle in sadness and anger, I don’t feel that’s what either of them would want. So I will put on my running shoes, I will put on my smile, I will lean on my friends and the road when things get too heavy…and maybe just maybe…I can leave the type of legacy that Bill and Reat did.
Much love- Kasi Rae.
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