Remembering Mary

A few weeks ago, one of my fellow boot campers passed away. It was a shock that saddened our group, and the loss of Mary has not gone unnoticed. 

Fellow boot camper Sarah asked whether anyone had a memory or story about Mary that they wanted to share with her family. I wrote this yesterday and wanted to make sure I had a place to keep it safe.

I first met Mary in January of 2012. I was starting the new year with a new attitude along with some new fitness goals, and so I decided to sign up for the Shamrock'n Half Marathon Training sponsored by Fleet Feet Sacramento. I knew I didn't want to run the race (dear god, no running for me!) but figured I could definitely walk it, so I registered with the group of people who also wanted to train as walkers.

The first night of training, I met Mary along with several other new and friendly faces. Mary was a faithful attendee at each and every training session, and even though I knew she had a few years on me, I could NEVER keep up with her! She was one of the fastest walkers I had ever laid eyes on, and she continually left me in her dust as we trained -- and, eventually, as we both completed the half-marathon.

As soon as our marathon training wrapped up, I narrowed in on a new fitness goal of getting stronger and healthier. To help me with that goal I enrolled in Fleet Feet's Fit Body Boot Camp, which kicked off the week after the half-marathon. I showed up the first day and, lo and behold, there was Mary, ready for each and every fitness challenge that was thrown at her! As soon as I saw her, I knew that I had a friend and companion to keep me company in this new group of fitness fanatics.

I was consistently impressed with her spirit of determination as well as her quiet grace. She was easy to talk to and made friends with just about everyone in class.

Before starting this fitness journey, I never realized that I could become so close to a group of wacky and wonderful strangers who were on the same journey as I. It's funny to realize what brings people together – it doesn't have to be a shared past, or family, or politics or where you live. It can be something as simple and as personal as the goals in front of you and how you set out to achieve those goals. I am so happy to have met Mary and worked with her toward our mutual goal of getting outside and getting healthy. She made the journey fun, she inspired me and so many others, and her spirit steadfastly remains within our group.