I want to be a runner. I want to love it.I want to love it more than pad thai. I want going for a run to be how I unwind at the end of a stressful day. I want to hang medals from marathons on my wall. I want to own the full array of running outfits. The hot pants in neon colors, sleek running shoes, moisture wicking tank tops in every color of the rainbow. My inspiration for all of this is an amazing woman by the name of Stephanie.

When I was 11 new neighbors by the names of Keith and Stephanie moved across the street, they were a really cool young couple. They swore in front of me and my best friend, Joanie, they hosted parties that we went to, they never had a kid table when they threw dinners- they drove motorcycles! Most importantly: Stephanie treated me as an equal, she made me feel comfortable with myself, and she expected as much from me as she did from her other friends. I totally and completely idolized her. 

When I was sixteen, Stephanie was hit while riding her motorcycle on the local highway. Her body was devasted. She broke every major bone multiple times; both of her legs had to be pieced back together with pins like they were puzzles. She broke her back in three places and her neck in two.

When she finally came home from the hospital it was in the back of an ambulance, in a full body cast. Her long term prognosis after recovery was not good, and for a brief time she suffered from depression because of it. The doctors told her she would be lucky if, even with extensive rehabilitation, she would walk again only with the assistance of a walker or forearm crutches. She defied all of the odds, because instead of using a walker, she ran.

I'm talking more miraculous than Forrest Gump breaking out of leg-braces mid-run. She went to physical rehabilitation for as long as her insurance covered and after that she ran. At first she just ran down the road and back three nights a week, kind of hobbling. Then she started running all around our neighborhood, Iremember not being able to drive anywhere without seeing her running or walking. Now, 11 years later, she lives in Italy with her second husband Paolo, 2 year old son and dog, travelling monthly to compete in international marathons, pushing her stroller in front of her. She even took first place in a marathon in Brussels this year!

She amazes me and inspires me every day. Everytime I have ever commented on facebook about my night of running she has commented from across the world supporting me, and building me up. Everytime I start to do a run routine she messages me, encouraging me to stick with it, and every time I let it fade away. I have done a few 5ks but my goal is so much bigger. I want to run 10ks, and do half marathons, full marathons and triatholons. My five year goal from now is to run a marathon with her in Europe. I hope that everyone else has a hero like this to look up to and be supported by, she is just wonderful and I am so so lucky to have her in my life.