08.23.08
Popsiclicious
Popsicles - all kinds, flavors and types. However, when I refer to this amazing frozen treat I’m talking the kid kind, real deal!
Joan unknowingly knows my favorite summer time treat and weakness - Popsicles. I regularly eat and indulge in these each day for lunch. Yes, Eddy’s Whole Fruit Strawberry, Wholefoods Caribbean Punch, Kroger soda flavors, melon flavors, banana popsicles, old skool Flavor-ice…mmmm…
So, for my last official CAC workout in NC, popsicles was the perfect grape-y way to say goodbye.
And for that I want to say thank you.
Thank you fellow CAC-ers for all the good times, memories, encouragement, withstanding of outrage, and camaraderie. Thank you for sweating it out in August on the early portion of the hills series, for letting me go ahead on my fast cool downs, and warm-ups, for letting me be one of the guys. Thank you for an open forum where I can cry and rave and race and laugh. The opportunities and support and experience that CAC has been for me is not able to be captured with mere words.
To end I wish to post a memory/comment for those I ran with:
Hombres:
Tyler - Umstead long run entertainment. Thanks for being willing to let me tag along.
Devin - Sheer speed. I’m always amazed at the runner you are.
John - Such a secret treasure trove. There are so many layers to your personality and I only begun to scratch the surface on our XC Championships road trip.
Brock - Hilarious! Such a sense of humor and amusement.
Rob - quiet and smart. Clickity-clack man and crazy legs. Two terms that are now permanent parts of my vocabulary.
Jason - a huge heart. Thank you for making me feel at home right from the beginning and always saying hello at practice. Oh and your stories - classic!
Victor - the Fleet Feet man. I’ve enjoyed our random chats at the store, on warm-up, and about PT.
Ben - One of the first people I met (outside of CAC). It has been great to run with you in both settings, you are so easy going.
Brent - the tech-y. You have such a lively demeanor, but when it comes to business, punch it out.
Marc - I’ve loved reading your posts from afar and seeing your different approach to training. I like to think one day I’ll again achieve that machine quality you display in your distance running.
Dave - handsock gloves and websites. 
Thank you.
Ladies:
Joan - challenger, coach, sister friend. Always so enthusiastic, but raw-ly yourself, unabashed - LOVE IT!
Trish - cheetah fighter. Joan first described you as a cheetah to me and when running XC country with you I saw what she meant. But, you’re so funny and “out of the box,” kind, and happy. An amazing person, runner and mother.
Caroline - smiley. You always have a great smile and listening ear. I love that you have a blue beetle for a car and I thank you for your advice and always listening to me and just letting me be me.
Diana - Fellow outdoor pool runner. That was great even though I was waaay late. You are such an encourager. You are so straight forward in the perfect way and I love that, but I really can’t thank you enough for encouraging me to look at my life and be unashamed of what I want and go for it.
Sarah - Racer. You are so welcoming, team orientated, and understanding. I feel so comforted and calm when with you. You always make me feel included and I’ve loved talking academia with you.
Kim - advice giver. You are so grounded and great at offering advice and the other perspective. I’ve enjoyed our bit-runs together and doing those 100s with you every week. Couldn’t have done it without you.
Rebecca - such an awesome first workout partner.
There is so much more that could be said and so much that applies to various team members. So just THANK YOU!
I’ll be seeing you on the roads and keeping in touch from afar. Best to all on this coming year. I can’t wait to see the next phase of CAC and what the new drum circle rhythm may be.
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Marinna said,
August 26, 2008 at 1:01 am
This may seem like it’s a bit out of the blue, and it has nothing to do with your post at all Tori, but on a whim I decided to Google your name and try to find my best friend from elementary school. It’s been almost 20 years since we first met, and we’ve both changed a lot since we last spoke 15 years ago. I just figured since I found you, I’d drop a line somewhere you’d likely (or friends of yours) would likely see it. My email is attached with this post, hopefully the admin will send it on to you.