She Showed Up

There is a story that went viral this week, and it struck me so deeply. After 4 miles through a 10K, Asia Ford started to feel sick. A police officer, Lt. Aubrey Gregory, took her hand and they finished the race together.

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Love. Just love.

Posted by Authentically Emmie on Sunday, March 22, 2015

I'm incredibly grateful to have my own Lt. Gregory's. Not only with races, but with life. The people that encourage, support, nudge, or just let me be.

I even literally had a cop as support! He asked if I wanted to put my jacket in his car instead of wearing it on my waist. I was grateful. (From my half marathon)

This is a photo from my first 5K, back in 2010. I didn't know 6 of the people in the photo before I started blogging, but they were all there with me. Heidi, Kristi, Amber, Trainer Rob, Shay, and Noel. Relative strangers that lifted me up and helped me through. In addition to existing friends Anne, Elizabeth, and Kelly Anne. They showed up.

When I wanted to do a half marathon, I randomly asked if anyone wanted to do it with me. Mary Ann, Amber, and Holli were with me through 13.1 miles of discomfort. Amber and Holli slogged through 3 months of slow training through the Kentucky landscape. Mary Ann would have as well, but she lives in Atlanta. They showed up.

Sometimes you need a little extra prodding – literally. Amber brought out the stick. The stick showed up (kidding.)

When I was feeling a little stuck and frustrated with my workouts, I found a home at GYM Laird Strength & Conditioning. Jim and Lucy continually welcome me with a smile and encouragement. They showed up. (Video from last week – in hyperspeed!)

Part of today's workout in hyperspeed! I love GYM Laird Strength & Conditioning.

Posted by Authentically Emmie on Thursday, March 19, 2015

A lot of praise is rightfully going to Lt. Gregory for showing up. I hope other people are touched by his human decency and catch the compassion bug. There are a lot of jackholes in this world who will comment on the news story of Asia and focus on her appearance. What they fail to recognize, however, is that she showed up. Before Lt. Gregory could show up to give support, Asia had to show up for herself. She set a goal, and took action to complete it.

No matter what goal you want to reach, you have to take that first big, hairy, scary step. You have to show up. If you're having a difficult time showing up for yourself, try showing up for someone else. When you show up – either for yourself or for others – great things can happen. Just like Asia finishing her first 10K.

I can never adequately express gratitude for those my life who have showed up when I needed them – either with races or moments of self doubt or divorce. Each one of them have made it infinitely easier to show up for myself.

Whether for yourself or for others, I ask: Will you show up?