We’ve been post-it noted!!!!! December 20 - Day 267, 17.2 miles, west of Westmorland, CA

I am in love with the Brawley, CA High School boys and girls Cross Country Teams!!! True love:-) I was able to spend such wonderful time with the girls and some boys last night as we watched “The Long Green Line,” a documentary about the York High School XC coach, Joe Newton (we competed against York in IL in high school!!). It was a special experience to watch this movie, a movie that’s message is, “running is like life...and it gives you life,” with a high school team that reminded me of my own. I was brought back to my high school days, hanging out with my teammates - the people in my life who stood by me always, who shared my love for the sport, and who were determined to run run run. Running is such a connector, and the teams here in Brawley are so connected to running and each other...and now me! I am so grateful.

All the kids at movie night:

Signing shirts for Jenny and me:

Lizzie and me:

Lexi and me:

Leo and me:

I met Lexi, Katie, Hanna, Sarah, Daniela, Lizzie, Justin, Jacob, Leo, Carlos, and Joseph...all of whom came out to run (aka walk) with me into and out of Brawley! The fact that these kids came out to walk 5 miles with me, never having walked that far ever (at least I don’t think so!), was inspiring to me. I learned full-on that even though running is our connector, we continue to be connected and stand by each other even when walking, or better said, even when going through a challenge. I am so proud to know these kids. They will be in my heart forever. I have never met a more generous, giving, inspired, and mature high school cross country team. I don’t want to leave!!!

Running with the team (the rest was a big walk):

Today while walking we went by a truck that had a float on it (it had just been used for a parade). The float was of San Diego!!!!! I saw it and said, “oh look, I’m there!!!” Hahaha.

I "made it":

Here is where it gets really exciting!!!! This evening, while Jenny and I were at the home of Debbie and Paul Cameron for a dinner party, our van was parked all nice and sound in the driveway of our host, Heidi Kappeler. Upon arrival home at 9pm, I looked out the window and screamed, “oh my! What is on our van!? There are a bunch of crazy things on our van!!!! What is that?” We pull up and Jenny and I scooted out of the car. This is what we saw...

(see video link here)

The XC teams (namely the lovely Lexi, Daniela, and Lizzie) had post-it noted our van!!!!!! There must have been at least 400 post it notes all over it!!!!!! Each post-it had written on it a joke, quote, memory, funny picture, or inspirational phrase stemming from our visit and time with the teams. It was like getting TP-ed!!!!!! THE BEST TEAM EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

I gotta come back and visit these guys. No question:-)

Thank you Brawley XC. Thank you so much for enriching my journey ten thousand fold! Oh, and thanks for all the enchiladas!!!! HAHA.

Love,
kt

P.S. There is a great article about our run together in the Imperial Valley Press. Read it here!