We’re a community of runner’s who push ourselves to the brink of exhaustion. We rise at the crack of down to get in our training runs. We put our bodies through hell but sometimes people simply don’t understand what drives us. Not many respect or appreciate the sacrifices we make so we become a band of supporters for each other. You never know what the runner to your right or to your left is running for but know, we all have our reasons. I have several reasons why I lace up my running shoes week after week, month after month, and year after year and now I’m sharing my stories and experiences with you.
I’d only known Rhiannon Meier just over a year and a half and no one had a bigger impact on my life as she did. We met through a mutual friend at a 5k running event; Rhiannon was training to run her first marathon, and asked if I’d run with her in the mornings before work. As a seasoned runner of four marathon’s and dozens of other running events, I always liked running alone but for some reason I agreed to meet and run with her. At the crack of dawn we met on Ocean Blvd in Santa Monica and we ran at a snail’s pace, which was ok because we were able to talk while we ran, allowing us to learn a little more about each other. I’ve never met a person who was so alive and excited at 5:00 am in the morning but then again, I’ve never met anyone like Rhiannon. I’d only known Rhiannon for about a month but it seemed like I’d known her years. She was extremely supportive with everything I did, especially my running. No one really cared how may 5k’s I ran or what marathon I was attempting to get through but Rhiannon became my biggest fan.
I remember her showing up at a small 5k I ran. She came just to cheer and scream as I came across the finish line, which totally embarrassed me but it also showed me just how much of friend she’d really become. When she heard I was going to New York to run the NY marathon, she insisted on taking me to the airport even though my flight was at 6am. She showed up to pick me up in her robe and pajamas but still just as bubbly and excited as if she were going to NY to run. That type of support was special.
Rhiannon landed a new job in December of 2006 and the demand was just too much so she was unable to keep up with her training for the LA marathon and was unable to run the race in March of 2007 but she was determined to run the marathon in March of 2008. She decided to join up with a popular Los Angeles Marathon training group the LA Leggers and made it a goal to be at the starting line of the marathon in March.
We both were busy but we still managed to check on each other. She sent me texts messages to check on me and I went to run with her training group on an occasional Saturdays. As we got closer and closer to the 2008 LA marathon, she was so excited. She sent me a message telling me she was nervous because her running group would be running 16 miles on Saturday. I told her she had nothing to worry about. That was the last conversation we ever had.
On December 9th 2007, Rhiannon and her boyfriend were on their way home when their vehicle was blindsided by a drunk driver who ran a red light. They both died at the scene. At the age of 28, she had so many hopes, dreams, and aspirations. I was deeply saddened to have lost such an amazing friend but you don’t forget good friends no matter what. I share her story because it’s important to me and I intend on keep the spirits of good people alive. I always dedicate a mile or two of each LA marathon to Rhiannon to show her how much I appreciated her friendship and support.
“We are here for a short time. We must try to do something good with our lives. Try to be at peace with yourself and help others share that peace. If you contribute to others’ happiness, you will find the true goal and meaning of life.” (His Holiness the 14th Dali Lama)
Thanks for Reading….
Shamar
Shamar
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