Love ya Lizzie

"How does that go? ... All I really need to know I learned by running a marathon! I learned long term goal planning, time management and what is meant by delayed gratification. I learned about my body, how to eat healthy and get enough rest. I learned anger management (in the late miles), how to deal with success and how to deal with failure. I learned who I was and who I could be. Yes, somewhat cliché, but running a marathon will change your life forever, I suggest you move it up on the bucket list if you haven't already." - Randy Step, from Ann Arbor's Running Store, Running Fit

I am far from interested in running a full marathon, but still. When I received this in my inbox this morning, it really stayed with me. I had a mini-epiphany while talking to Amy tonight. As excited as I am for Hope Express (IN A WEEK!!!), I have definitely had a badddd case of nerves this week. As we were talking, I realized why: When I started running, I loved that it was all about me (!). It wasn't about anyone else's expectations or judgements of me. None of that has mattered or has even been relevant. All my successes are in comparison to where I was and where I've gone. All my struggles has been practice with dealing with letting myself down and realizing that we learn and move on. Everything has felt like an accomplishment when I think about this whole journey, about where I was running/mentally when I started and the impact it's had on my life. With running, it's all relevant to me. With Hope Express, I have the incredible honor of being part of a team of amazing runners, and, even better, amazing people...and that's scary. Without realizing it, I've felt pressure to be better than I am (or better than I think I am..or better than anything anyone can ever be...as in if I ran a marathon a day, I'd still question if it were enough). Instead of feeling like I might let myself down, I know I have a team of 7 other people (+ the whole HE family, my entire support system, the families at HMC fighting day in and day out) counting on me. It feels like it's a lot of pressure...but then again, it's a hell of a lot of hearts behind me.

In a conversation about Tina Fey's amazing Bossy Pants last night, we got to talked about the fact that despite all of her fame, success, and incredible sense of humor, Fey still rips on herself throughout the whole book. We talked about how it might just be her shtick (since that's how Liz is...and in my mind/real life, they are the same person), but we still wondered if she believed that. Despite ALL she has done and accomplished, all the lives she has impacted and all the laughs she's imparted, sometimes it's natural to question yourself. I'm watching 30 Rock right now and as we speak, mid-blog, as though it was fate, Liz just said, "I AM an inspiration!"

As if I needed another reason to love you LL...I mean TF...