Who Are the Sole Sisters?

By Carissa

Helvetia Half 2011

Jodi, Tanya, and sometimes both, have been part of every race I’ve run over the past two years.  Either by my side or cheering me to the finish, they are my Sole Sisters. We've trained together, prayed together, struggled together, and rejoiced together. We celebrate our birthdays with double-digit runs. Doesn’t everyone do that? 

As Sole Sisters, we've held each other accountable to run when it was rainy and cold, run when it was hot, and run when we just wanted to stop and walk. We've run through injuries, setbacks, grueling training schedules, and personal bests. Together we challenged our bodies to run longer and faster. The journey has been sweeter because we've taken it together.  

When God laid it on my heart to start a blog about running I knew I wanted my running partners to have a role in it too. They are uniquely gifted and bring different aspects to our running and friendship. The thought of writing literally gives me butterflies, but I pitched the idea to each of them and asked them to PRAY. It felt like too big of an idea to carry out in our own strength.

Portland Marathon 2011

Despite this, what inspired and propelled me to keep moving forward was the platform a blog offers.  I have a chance to testify to the Lord’s goodness and the blessings I have experienced through running. Jodi, Tanya, and I are stronger, more fulfilled women because of running. We are passionate about helping other women experience this fulfillment for themselves. 

If I had stayed in my comfort zone of things I am capable of accomplishing in my own strength, I would have swept the idea aside and stuck to mapping out runs, tracking pace, and studying training schedules. Instead, I waited patiently to see if we would all be of one mind.  

           

Within two months, Jodi and Tanya were on board and the planning began. Brainstorming sessions occurred over the phone, over the course of play dates and on training runs. Countless emails were exchanged. When the process began to feel overwhelming, the Lord provided a friend and encourager who offered us her expertise in launching the blog.  

I’m not sure she knew what she was getting herself into, but my friend Kim has poured hours and hours into seeing the dream of this blog fulfilled. At every turn she has given more of her time and talent. Tanya, Jodi and I are so blessed by her generosity, not to mention how excellent she is at everything she puts her hand to! And… she started running. Watching someone else fall in love with running is even sweeter than enjoying it for myself.       

Heart Breaker Half 2012

It has been a long process, but a rewarding one. I’ve had a few months to get over my fear of writing. Anticipation and excitement have grown between us with each step along the way.

Our hope is that you’ll stop in and read a post that will get you excited about running, nutrition, and the hope we have in Jesus. Our prayer is that you will celebrate that we are Soul Sisters through Jesus and Sole Sisters through running. And then get out there and enjoy a run! While you’re at it, grab a Sole Sister to make it all the more lovely. 

Won’t you join us as we run through life…together?