Crossing the Line

In life there can be many first time experiences that become a special part of our memories. Destined to never be forgotten, they can seem as real today as the day they happened.

"There's nothing like running the Twin Cities Marathon." You've heard it before. I've heard it before. Friends did their best telling me what to expect: Cheering fans lining the streets, handmade signs, and tears from both spectators and exhausted runners. Of course, you can't forget that proverbial wall—somewhere between miles 18 and 22—where many question just how much strength they have left as they approach Summit Avenue, putting one foot in front of the other, reflecting back to those months of training leading up to that final run. 


All that stuff is definitely there on race day. But no amount of words can ever do the experience justice. To really describe the emotions a marathon runner feels striding through all 26.2 miles is hard. Sure, everyone's experience is different. But for me, October 5th, 2014 is a day that I will never forget.

For a first-timer, the camaraderie was something to behold and perhaps added to the emotional impact. From the first mile on, there were people willing each other on. There was a sense of unity among fellow runners that made the experience all the more special. Sharing the streets with so many other people all who have a story to tell, is so surreal.  The abundance of love from family who came to be there with me on my big day, the encouragement from friends, and support from complete strangers as I made my way through the “Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America”, I was overwhelmed in the most wonderful sense of the word. 

Even though there were thousands running beside me, it was an extremely personal endeavor. I wasn’t racing anyone. It was a battle between myself and this idiotic notion that formed months ago when I thought it would be a good idea. For me, this was my Mt. Everest.

Despite the physical agony, the final mile was the most enjoyable. It's hard to explain what it felt like to finish my first marathon. Turning the corner and seeing the finish line, having an enthusiastic race volunteer slip my medal over my head. 



The end of the run wasn't about the last 26.2 miles; it was the culmination of months of training, 5 a.m. wake-up calls on Saturday mornings, training runs with my husband and crazy co-workers, missing toenails, blisters, sore knees, and sore hips. But the feeling of reaching my goal was worth it all. I couldn't remember a time when I felt prouder of myself, and while it was nice that my friends and family were all proud of me too, it was how I felt about myself that made it all worth it. Words alone are never enough to capture the energy, excitement and inevitable agony of running a marathon.

Runners are a special sort of kind, and I am proud to be one. I now officially belong to an elite group of 1/10th of 1% of Americans who can and do finish a marathon!

“With each step I learn more about myself

Realizing there is more to me than I knew

I have strength, I have endurance, I have patience

With each step I can feel my confidence
and I am determined to run until I’m done.”

Raise Your Glass

I don't blog as often as most "true" bloggers.  Let's face it, no one wants to read about my crazy life in the suburbs, carpool conversations between 13 year old boys, or why my clothes don't fit the same as they did just a few years ago! Wait...I might be on to something but that is for another day.  

My point is, when I do blog it's about something in my life that has meaning to me or something in my life of importance. That being said, this particular post was much more difficult and took much longer to write than I had anticipated.  I think it’s far easier for me to share random experiences and stories about myself, but it's much harder to capture a story or experience about someone else.

Let's start a few weeks back, when my family was invited as guests of Thrivent Financial to spend the weekend in Chicago celebrating my sister, Melanie Meyer’s, induction into Thrivent Financial's Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is one of Thrivent's highest honors. In order to be inducted you must have given at least 20 years of service, a commitment to helping others and a passion for providing outstanding customer service. Among Thrivent Financial’s nearly 2,300 financial representatives—only 183 are in the Hall of Fame.  Of those 183 Hall of Fame members, Melanie is 1of only 5 women within the group.

For those of you who have not met Melanie, let me try to paint you a picture of her.

Melanie has always been very dedicated in every endeavor she pursues. From her first post college job as a struggling interior designer in the affluent city of San Diego to the odds and end jobs (fitness instructor, paper route, etc) that helped to pay her bills prior to her career at Lutheran Brotherhood/Thrivent Financial.
She spent many evening hours and hundreds of miles in her car during her first years as a financial advisor. After more than 20 years in the industry, Melanie knows the true meaning of hard work and has a gift for doing anything she puts her mind to, and doing it extremely well.
How many people (women specifically) do you know that can go an entire YEAR without buying anything that was not a necessity???  If you ask me that is simply crazy, but guess what, she did it and no one ever doubted that she wouldn't! 

One of the secrets to Melanie Meyer's success is her self-professed stubbornness.  I remember a time when she was scheduled to fly from Los Angeles to Minneapolis for a corporate-sponsored conference, she took the shuttle to LAX – almost. On the way to the airport, the shuttle broke down on a busy freeway. Melanie knew that if she waited for another shuttle, she'd miss her flight. So she grabbed her suitcase, hopped off the bus, stuck out her thumb and hitched a ride the rest of the way!

There's no doubt that Melanie is determined, motivated – even a little "stubborn" at times – but she's also compassionate. She is a leader who shares her time, her talent and her words of wisdom as a mentor to others in the field. Melanie is a friend and advisor to all her clients. She is always eager to impart the wisdom she’s learned through many years of working in the business.

Melanie also believes in giving back to our community.  Both she and her husband Jeff, were recognized as 2012 Philanthropists of the Year in Los Angeles.
She won’t be confined by boundaries. She won’t be stopped by the word no or limited by adversity or fear.  She continues to meet the needs of others and gives back "just because".  When Melanie believes in something, she says it, she means it and she lives it!

Melanie's not all work and no fun...she spends many of her weekend nights rocking the stage with her band, BlueSky. Simply put, she is a rockstar and is living the dream!

During our trip to Chicago, I was reminded that there are some really incredible experiences in this life. Some are so fun that your stomach aches from laughing and your face hurts from smiling. Some are so inspiring you just feel like your heart is going to burst.  This weekend was a combination of so many emotional experiences...happiness, fun, inspirational, humbling, and simply amazing!

Melanie...I raise my glass to you!