#megmiles

By now you have all heard about Meg Menzies and her tragic death caused by a drunk driver.  She was a wife, mother, friend, sister and daughter, no different from most of us reading this blog.

It did not take long for this news to hit runners everywhere.  Soon, #megmiles was created and we were all encouraged to run Saturday, January 18.

My heart was broken for this women and her family.  The posts that started popping up about her brought tears to my eyes every time I read one.  Then, I made the mistake of clicking on her personal FB page and I couldn't even scroll down.  The photos of her and her family were beautiful and I could not believe this family was broken apart.

There are so many questions but no answers.  There is nothing that I can do to change what has happened but I knew I could run with the thousands of other runners on Saturday.

I messaged all my running buddies and a plan was set.  Meet at the town beach at 7 am. Early, and I hate early.  Didn't matter, I was alive and well and early was irrelevant.

I had a hard time sleeping and getting up.  Once I was moving around, I was feeling pretty good.  I ate breakfast and headed out.

As soon as I was out of my garage and on the road, it started raining, my least favorite running condition. I was not prepared for this. I would of worn a different jacket.

I am a person who talks to myself. Out loud.  So I started to talk to Meg.  I asked her to watch over everyone who was running today. I told her she would not be forgotten and that I was happy that I was able to do this for her and her family.  Then, I asked her to hold the rain off, just a bit.  Silly?  Maybe.  My drive was about 10 minutes and once I was parked, the rain stopped.

Beth was already there, Jenn showed up a couple minutes later.  Mary and Elaine were both a maybe, but they showed up.  Mary with her dog Kelly.

We ran a five mile loop that we like.  It was great to see everyone. I haven't run with Beth or Elaine since the Fall.  BTW, Beth is training for her first 50k! I am in awe.

These girls are easy to talk to and the conversation was good. We talked about Meg, our kids, our jobs, and races.  This was a tough run emotionally and I don't think I would have gotten through it without my girls. Thanks for being with me ladies!

Once we were finished we snapped a few pictures, got in our cars and then, it started to pour. I am sure Meg held the rain off for us.

Meg is not the first person to be killed by a drunk driver and, unfortunately, she will not be the last.  I can not fix this problem, but I can bring awareness to it and just do my damnedest to raise smart, happy and responsible children.

I have only be a runner since 2011, and in that time, we lost Sherri Arnold, Sarah Hart and now Meg Menzies.  Three mothers, doing what they love to do, who's lives were taken away far too soon.  I know they are not the only ones who have lost their lives, but they are the ones I know about.  Not a run goes by that I don't think about Sherri and Sarah, and now I will think of Meg too.

On my FB page, I asked you all to add your miles and I hoped we would get 100 as a page. You all came through and we ran a total of 424.18 miles. Thank you!

If you haven't already done it, there has been a page set up so you can post your miles and leave a message for the family. You can do that here.

On a positive note, this five mile run was my longest since my marathon.  I am well on my way and feeling very excited about this up coming year.

I know you have probably read so many blogs about Meg and I just want to thank you for taking the time to read mine as well.

Be safe everyone!

Run Strong, Think Big! ~ Nicole