Feb 9, 2022·edited Feb 9, 2022Liked by Terrell Johnson
Terrell, I'm a long time lurker and a first time poster, as they say, but this riff of yours on Kara's struggles clicked with me in a very profound way.
This tension between doubt and faith is always at the back of our heads, I suppose, and the willingness to speak candidly about it, the sense that we're all in this together, is truly life-affirming.
This newsletter was particularly beautiful and came to me on a day when a couple of people I know and love are struggling. You are right, we all struggle in many of the same ways. Thank you for sharing your reaction to Goucher’s announcement and for helping me (and all your readers) pause and take a breath to consider the idea of being in recovery mode for all to witness.
Every single day that we have is a "special day." Prayers for Kara in her journey. Thanks to Alex for his comment about "doubt and faith." Thank you Terrell for your wonderful work, day by day.
I’m thankful you wrote about Kara Goucher today especially, but in the past as well. After you shared excerpts about “Getting Started” from her 2011 book Running for Women I decided to read it since I’m running my first marathon this year. The book reinforces what I’ve already learned about running and addresses my areas for growth/running goals like trying a running club, developing confidence as a runner (feeling like I belong among marathoners) and running a marathon. Her openness about struggles is so relatable! My heart goes out to her as she faces her diagnosis of runners dystonia. I hope she finds strength and love from the incredible support network she’s built, which includes me. I often think during hard runs about running for those who can’t run and train anymore but wish they could. This makes me work harder and fills me with gratitude. Kara Goucher will continue to be an inspiration for me in my journey!
This is heart breaking and I hurt for her. I am by no means in her league, but this is a terrifying prospect for me. Running has kept me from despair the last few years by helping me cope first with my father's decline, and then with what being a nurse has meant in the last two years. I honestly don't know what I would have done without it and don't even want to contemplate it.
It does though serve as a reminder that I should find other outlets. I have been trying.
I was shocked reading about Kara. She is amazing. Life is so crazy sometimes. It’s never what we expect. Made me so grateful for my health & hope I will still be running in 30+ years. 💕 If not, I hope I deal with it as well as she is.
As I remember, Kara's book "Strong" was one of the first reasons I wrote to you way back when. I never did buy the book, but borrowed it from the library. I still keep a personal journal of the best things that happen on my runs and daily photos along the way that jog my memory of the day. This is all due to Kara and your continuing comments. Sad she has been given a disease of the body that is ongoing, happy that she has shared her life and personality to us as runners. No matter what happens, she has been a great contributor to the running world and will continue to be.
It is amazing to me that so much happens to the human body and we keep on going. Doesn't matter if it is an elite or a normal person. While we watch athletes fail at what they hoped for, I was equally happy for Nathan Chen and his flawless performance on the ice. Just a year before, he was crushed by not getting the Gold. (You can tell I'm a skater--both roller and ice!)
One of the better qualities of the Internet.is our heightened awareness of what goes on with other people like us.
I don't know if "like" is enough for this one. Thank you for the incredible read. Life always throws you curves, success comes from being able to not just hit them but also to adapt to them so that they never "beat" you again. Her words, and their inspiration, speak to me of just that...
Thank you for this one. So bittersweet, beautiful, inspiring, & complicated - just like life. 💜💜💜
Terrell, I'm a long time lurker and a first time poster, as they say, but this riff of yours on Kara's struggles clicked with me in a very profound way.
This tension between doubt and faith is always at the back of our heads, I suppose, and the willingness to speak candidly about it, the sense that we're all in this together, is truly life-affirming.
Thank you for writing this!
This newsletter was particularly beautiful and came to me on a day when a couple of people I know and love are struggling. You are right, we all struggle in many of the same ways. Thank you for sharing your reaction to Goucher’s announcement and for helping me (and all your readers) pause and take a breath to consider the idea of being in recovery mode for all to witness.
An especially beautiful installment of this newsletter. Thank you, Terrell.
Every single day that we have is a "special day." Prayers for Kara in her journey. Thanks to Alex for his comment about "doubt and faith." Thank you Terrell for your wonderful work, day by day.
I’m thankful you wrote about Kara Goucher today especially, but in the past as well. After you shared excerpts about “Getting Started” from her 2011 book Running for Women I decided to read it since I’m running my first marathon this year. The book reinforces what I’ve already learned about running and addresses my areas for growth/running goals like trying a running club, developing confidence as a runner (feeling like I belong among marathoners) and running a marathon. Her openness about struggles is so relatable! My heart goes out to her as she faces her diagnosis of runners dystonia. I hope she finds strength and love from the incredible support network she’s built, which includes me. I often think during hard runs about running for those who can’t run and train anymore but wish they could. This makes me work harder and fills me with gratitude. Kara Goucher will continue to be an inspiration for me in my journey!
We are fragile. Best wishes to Kara, for others - just run while we can and enjoy every single mile.
Thank you so much for this! Beautiful and sad and encouraging, and well, reality!
This is heart breaking and I hurt for her. I am by no means in her league, but this is a terrifying prospect for me. Running has kept me from despair the last few years by helping me cope first with my father's decline, and then with what being a nurse has meant in the last two years. I honestly don't know what I would have done without it and don't even want to contemplate it.
It does though serve as a reminder that I should find other outlets. I have been trying.
Wow, Terrell. This was one of my favorites you have written. The bond formed helping someone through a challenge is so strong. Thank you.
I was shocked reading about Kara. She is amazing. Life is so crazy sometimes. It’s never what we expect. Made me so grateful for my health & hope I will still be running in 30+ years. 💕 If not, I hope I deal with it as well as she is.
As I remember, Kara's book "Strong" was one of the first reasons I wrote to you way back when. I never did buy the book, but borrowed it from the library. I still keep a personal journal of the best things that happen on my runs and daily photos along the way that jog my memory of the day. This is all due to Kara and your continuing comments. Sad she has been given a disease of the body that is ongoing, happy that she has shared her life and personality to us as runners. No matter what happens, she has been a great contributor to the running world and will continue to be.
It is amazing to me that so much happens to the human body and we keep on going. Doesn't matter if it is an elite or a normal person. While we watch athletes fail at what they hoped for, I was equally happy for Nathan Chen and his flawless performance on the ice. Just a year before, he was crushed by not getting the Gold. (You can tell I'm a skater--both roller and ice!)
One of the better qualities of the Internet.is our heightened awareness of what goes on with other people like us.
I don't know if "like" is enough for this one. Thank you for the incredible read. Life always throws you curves, success comes from being able to not just hit them but also to adapt to them so that they never "beat" you again. Her words, and their inspiration, speak to me of just that...