Mentally preparing for the RomaOstia half marathon on Sunday and am getting excited to run it. I did do it last year so I know what to expect (long, straight, flat road from Rome to the sea at Ostia) but this year I have a new perspective.

This summer Melody Fairchild (if you know her, you know that to say she is inspirational just doesn't cut it: she is profoundly amazing) spoke to a group of runners about figuring out why each of us run. The big question is "Who do you run for?" She helped bring back the love I have for the sport during that discussion and many other private ones.

Not only was this woman my childhood hero but she was also one of the people that convinced me, without meaning to, that I didn't want to attend the University of Oregon. It was her calm and wise demeanor and the coach's way of speaking down to her during my recruiting visit that set off an alarm in my head and my heart. At the time, this was the school of my dreams and I was convinced I would be a duck.

I realized after much thought, and a cry or two, that I couldn't go there: It just wasn't the right fit. It was a realization that changed the course of my life and I don't regret one thing. My road to now wasn't easy but it was fruitful: it took me to New Orleans, Louisiana; Boise, Idaho; Portland, Oregon; and Rome, Italy with lots of adventures along the way.

Who knew that everything would come full circle and that this woman would change my life again and help me to the path of loving to run. **I just remembered today that I traded my last year's romaostia shirt for a pair of Melody's shoes: the shoes I've been training in!!

I'll think of her during my 21k trek from Rome to the sea.