When Guinevere was born, a colleague of Bradley’s told us the usual congratulations, but added that, “The world needs your children.” It’s something that has never left my thoughts; this profound responsibility of putting my best into the world to make the world a better place. It’s been almost 14 years of parenting this one and, while running 13.1 miles isn’t an absolute predictor of things gone right, it sure makes me feel like she and we are honoring our deal. The world needs people who will work hard for small goals with big impacts; it needs people with good hearts and stoic determination, people who are strong in spirit and fortitude, people who like to run through the woods and value our natural world, people who wait at the finish line and cheer for every person crossing it, people who understand the satisfaction of a job well done, people like my kid. I’m so proud of her for running with me to train, running through unpleasantly hot weather conditions, running thoughtfully through a minor injury and finishing this race. I’m proud that she understands how strong her body is and that she is a capable, healthy, powerful force to reckon with, no matter how quiet, demure and ladylike she may seem. This is MY kid, and the world does, indeed, need her.


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