Tuesday, December 23, 2008


Spoons and Forks – it’s Jilly’s 24th

I’m kind of a treadmill Nazi – once I start running on one I won’t stop or switch machines regardless of the issue – buzzing noises, much needed bathroom break, bloody feet... So the day I stopped my running and hopped over two treadmills to run next to this girl I went to college with, (but had not seen since spring break senior year after avoiding her like the plague for the 10 dollars in gas I never paid) must have been a fateful day.

Jill and I reconnected last January for TNT –which any of you who read this most likely donated to either or both of us – so a thank you for that! – During our 6 months of training together we ended up forging our lil lives. There wasn’t much of the day we spent a part. And some of my favorite memories of running are in the early mornings on country roads or late at night on paired treadmills at the gym.

Jill is a straight up genius – if you ask her she will tell you that herself –but I will save you that and tell you how one day she turned to me on the treadmill and said “I think I am going to be a Dr.” I was encouraging with my comments but had no idea four months later she would be enrolled in her Post-Bach program at Columbia. Jill gets most excited when talking about curing people of diseases, and physics; like shaking excited in a way that makes her too cool for school – or maybe actually made for school; and therefore I support her current plans of being a forever student (don’t worry Jilly I will figure out how to house and feed you if need be)

In addition to her mental strength she’s a straight up hard body as well – what’s the toughest sport out there? You ask. – flipping upside down on a bar less than 6 inches wide –was that your answer – Yeah, Jilly is a gymnast to boot (probably another reason she likes physics so much) . I could sit here all day and list her accolades of three degrees, marathon runner, gymnast, physics tutor, amazing TaTa's and a girl that speaks her mind – all the time. But instead I will just tell you that it’s her birthday – and thank goodness for having her around.

Jill taught me how to do a pull up and I taught her how to run, we have laughed and cried on her kitchen floor, in cars, while running and sleeping, we have drank too much, eaten too much, run too much. Through everything we have helped carry each other dreams with our brutal honesty and absolute admiration. Happy birthday Jilly, my Running buddy, bff, hetero life -partner.

A WORD TO THE WISE OF NYC: Jilly is also a touch deaf – increased by drinking – so if you see her stumbling around NYC this evening – buy her a drink , but speak loudly and clearly – other wise guard your nose – she might punch it. Do not touch her unless you are told you can. If she is being rude to you and you think she is flirting, she’s not. She doesn’t like spoons, just forks.

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