tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post7572649276105396777..comments2023-07-23T11:53:16.145-04:00Comments on This Heart of Mine: Words From a StrangerSamantha Brinn Merelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-41039714165482498142012-09-13T19:32:53.290-04:002012-09-13T19:32:53.290-04:00This was excellent! I envy runners. I can't jo...This was excellent! I envy runners. I can't jog to the end of my cove without passing out and/or cursing. What a blessing for that stranger and her genuine words. Whoa! Susannah (Formerly Write, Rinse, Repeat)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07175650037862496945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-16858162259909740362012-09-13T17:57:03.224-04:002012-09-13T17:57:03.224-04:00Love this story! I've done several races also ...Love this story! I've done several races also and I know EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL. You described it so perfectly. I also know that lady! Thank God for spectators like her.Melisa @ just begin from herehttp://justbeginfromhere.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-63095955682994986652012-09-13T16:47:17.210-04:002012-09-13T16:47:17.210-04:00When we're the strangers, we never know when o...When we're the strangers, we never know when our words will stick with somebody. And when we're the somebody, we never know how valuable a stranger's words might be. Proud of you for running a half-marathon! I won't even run across the living room to pick up the remote. ;)Werdyab Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17421590913167974022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-53259532820765372492012-09-13T11:53:52.019-04:002012-09-13T11:53:52.019-04:00She was totally awesome. I hope I see her again ne...She was totally awesome. I hope I see her again next year.Samantha Brinn Merelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-48388451684015512722012-09-13T11:53:33.878-04:002012-09-13T11:53:33.878-04:00That race was the worst/best couple hours, if that...That race was the worst/best couple hours, if that makes any sense. Runners are a strange breed I think because, despite how awful those last miles were, when registration opens in a few days for the 2013 race, I'm all over it. Samantha Brinn Merelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-80733383234350983582012-09-13T11:52:38.638-04:002012-09-13T11:52:38.638-04:00Thanks so much Michelle!Thanks so much Michelle!Samantha Brinn Merelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-63832192001058796432012-09-13T11:52:28.077-04:002012-09-13T11:52:28.077-04:00I'm dying to know her story! The whole city of...I'm dying to know her story! The whole city of Pittsburgh comes out in droves to cheer for the runners in this race, so it's possible that she was only a spectator, which, I think, makes her even more awesome.Samantha Brinn Merelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-35219877906721810932012-09-13T11:51:20.476-04:002012-09-13T11:51:20.476-04:00Thanks for the suggestion. I've broken bones t...Thanks for the suggestion. I've broken bones that were less painful than that heat rash. I hope Im that lady with the white (or impeccably dyed brown) hair!Samantha Brinn Merelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-57375413100004069602012-09-12T22:47:37.270-04:002012-09-12T22:47:37.270-04:00Oh man, you have more stamina than I. They would n...Oh man, you have more stamina than I. They would need to make it an EXPENSIVE medal to get me to willingly run that far. But your angel-lady? Totally awesome.Jester Queenhttp://jesterqueen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-72207319259641547082012-09-12T22:16:43.870-04:002012-09-12T22:16:43.870-04:00Oh what a great story!
The sentiment behind it and...Oh what a great story!<br />The sentiment behind it and the way you told your tale were both so so so great.<br /><br />It's amazing the difference a kind stranger can make in our lives, and this was a beautiful reminder.<br /><br />Congrats on finishing what sounds like an absolutely grueling race! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022540233075643448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-80770826110314304522012-09-12T21:35:07.198-04:002012-09-12T21:35:07.198-04:00That is such a wonderful achievement! I love, lov...That is such a wonderful achievement! I love, love the idea of strangers who motivate people in this kind of way. You told a great story here. Well done.Michelle Longohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15437193620480920753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-26486848875543223782012-09-12T17:20:40.380-04:002012-09-12T17:20:40.380-04:00I have never run that far so I can only imagine ho...I have never run that far so I can only imagine how hard it is when you hit a wall! What a great woman - it would be so fun to know her story. Did she used to run? Did she have a son or daughter or husband that ran? I think people do that because they know it makes a difference. Congratulations!!Stacie @ Snaps and Bitshttp://www.snapsandbits.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-68469607732602756792012-09-12T15:00:44.946-04:002012-09-12T15:00:44.946-04:00Great read and it has made me take a firm stand ag...Great read and it has made me take a firm stand against running at all. It has made me want to go and stand at the end of mile 12 in the next foot race I come across. Thanks for the hope that not everyone sucks.Chris Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15250478672355808848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-64234558790478597282012-09-12T13:01:46.215-04:002012-09-12T13:01:46.215-04:00You just never know when your words will make a di...You just never know when your words will make a difference. It would be interesting to know if one day, when your running days are behind you, you might be the lady with the white hair in the lawn chair cheering on strangers. Also, they make this stuff at REI that looks like a deodorant stick that you can apply to the insides of your legs to prevent chafing and it works really well.Treading Water in the Kiddie Poolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07200936787006653961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-14524319914861195882012-09-12T10:23:27.407-04:002012-09-12T10:23:27.407-04:00It is so amazing, she really is my hero. Thanks fo...It is so amazing, she really is my hero. Thanks for reading!Samantha Brinn Merelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-12373210689514801392012-09-12T10:20:05.906-04:002012-09-12T10:20:05.906-04:00Amazing...the power of positive words! You are my...Amazing...the power of positive words! You are my hero for running that race! I am struggling to run a mile, at this point.Mamarifichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04861115843532508157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-73148620021466380202012-09-12T10:11:46.925-04:002012-09-12T10:11:46.925-04:00Thanks! Since I have started running, my writing h...Thanks! Since I have started running, my writing has improved so much. I have been thinking lately that I can't do one without the other. Samantha Brinn Merelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-9512401744856031662012-09-12T10:11:14.438-04:002012-09-12T10:11:14.438-04:00Thanks Louise! Sometimes the words of a stranger a...Thanks Louise! Sometimes the words of a stranger are the most powerful of all.Samantha Brinn Merelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-86172236848554950992012-09-12T10:10:47.152-04:002012-09-12T10:10:47.152-04:00Thanks so much Christie. We really never know, do ...Thanks so much Christie. We really never know, do we? I hope I see the women again next year so I can tell her just what her words did for me.Samantha Brinn Merelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-14642248730773367522012-09-12T10:10:14.457-04:002012-09-12T10:10:14.457-04:00Ever since that race, whenever I go for a run and ...Ever since that race, whenever I go for a run and see another runner that looks like I felt at mile 12, I want to say those words to them. We runners are a crazy breed, but god, I love us. And there really is no better feeling then that moment when you realize that, no matter how you felt the minute before, you are going to make it to the finish. It's enough to get me to keep signing up for these crazy races.Samantha Brinn Merelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-22377661927905784862012-09-12T10:08:03.649-04:002012-09-12T10:08:03.649-04:00Thanks so much Bill!Thanks so much Bill!Samantha Brinn Merelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-12125051582961827542012-09-12T10:07:55.081-04:002012-09-12T10:07:55.081-04:00She was at the right place at the most incredibly ...She was at the right place at the most incredibly right time. I seriously owe her the medal I got when I finished the race. When I registered for this race I was struck by madness too, and wondered about eight thousand times during my training whether I had just completely lost my mind. Samantha Brinn Merelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-88449618496070437052012-09-12T10:06:15.669-04:002012-09-12T10:06:15.669-04:00She was a delightful lady. Its amazing what a few ...She was a delightful lady. Its amazing what a few words can do.Samantha Brinn Merelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109435460094526642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-71209508325842276732012-09-12T08:17:23.669-04:002012-09-12T08:17:23.669-04:00Great post! Running and writing are my greatest jo...Great post! Running and writing are my greatest joys and greatest challenges. You hit that on the head here.Marihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12682947069256621968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118261797831917447.post-50707944916327026362012-09-12T05:54:39.251-04:002012-09-12T05:54:39.251-04:00I'm proud of you, too -- a half-marathon is a ...I'm proud of you, too -- a half-marathon is a huge accomplishment! I've been picked up many times by the kind words of a stranger; loved this story.Louise Ducotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01390647405858661686noreply@blogger.com