In the Book of Dan it is written: If you offer to run with someone, then you must run with that person. So the morning of St. Louis I said to Micki, "Do you want me to run with you" (okay - I knew the answer, she'd dropped hints like Hansel and Gretel dropped breadcrumbs), and she said yes. Which was cool, I felt good, but I had no aspirations and I may as well help her along (she has a bad hamstring) and enjoy the day, so WE did! Now, I have a boat load of material from St. Louis, like, who EVER suggested to spectators that cow bells were a good idea - talk about annoying!Anyway, that stuff will have to wait because during the marathon I learned all over again about the joy of running - St. Louis (the marathon) really is beautiful, but it is hilly. This is NOT a PR course; there are many L O N G inclines. As we all know if an incline goes on long enough it becomes a hill - not many people know that Kilimanjaro started as an incline in India. Anyway after we ran through the Anheuser-Busch Brewery (yes, I kissed a column when we entered (too many runners to kneel) and yes, I had an organism) we closed in on mile 14 or so. Going up ANOTHER incline we passed the last place wheelchair athlete; slowly, deliberately turning the wheels of the chair people passing left and right. As we ran by we clapped, shouted encouragement and pushed on kind of in our own run-world. On the other side of the hill (one of not too many downhills) we hear in a loud sing-song voice, "Wheelchair on the left" and whoosh! It was by us...wait?! That wasn't some kick-ass voice, it was - damn! It was like my mother's!!! Guess what another hill, so we passed the wheelchair athlete again and I had to know the source of the sing-song voice so I edged closer, paid attention this time and said, "The downhills are a lot more fun, huh?" I saw the most wonderful smile and this lady's voice answered, "Oh yes, but isn't it just a great day to be out here?" People, I came to find out her name is Virginia and she is SEVENTY THREE YEARS YOUNG! Screeching halt, yes, you read right! 73 AND a wheelchair competitor! For the next few miles we see-sawed on the uphills and downhills with bits and pieces of short conversations and I really deep inside didn't want to get too far away - she was making me stronger. Micki had to walk a few of the steeper or longer inclines (got to have hamstrings to climb hills) and we saw St. Louis, Forest Park, and University City up close and personal. We passed again on a hill, actually the last time; she had turned around and was pushing herself up backwards. Someone asked if she wanted a push, "Oh, no, I'm just using different muscles." We walked with her a bit and she said as we crested the hill, "You know i feel sorry for all those people sitting at home on the couch just doing nothing, looking at the idiot box." SHE feels sorry......whadda woman! We crossed the finish line and ignored the usual admonishments to "keep moving" because we had to see Virginia finish. She was hours behind the other wheel chairs and not many paid much attention when she crossed. I mean, she had on a helmet and sunglasses (this was one cool lady!) so you had to look...study, to realize that she wasn't young (chronologically). She pulled up to us, I'm surprised she didn't pop a wheelie, and said "thanks for all the encouragement." She thanked ME? You could tell she wasn't the type who really wanted a fuss made over her, so we both thanked her 'cause she encouraged us and she kind of smiled, "What a great day to be out here." What a great day to be out here; think about that the next time you dread a run. We are so, so blessed to be able to do what we do. And we do it because we WANT to! And there there are days like St. Louis when it starts out good and by meeting and sharing the day with someone like Virginia I hit the jackpot of runs! When I got up that morning I had no idea the day would be so special - here's hoping there is a Virginia in one of your days, soon.