How the Woman I Despised More Than Anything Was the One Who Gave Me My Confidence Back

I’m so excited to have my friend Stephanie here on the blog today with this guest post. 

I love this post for a few reasons – it shows how some people come into our lives for reasons we may not expect; it shows how we shouldn’t let first impressions be the only impression; and it shows that when you put your mind towards accomplishing something, that determination and a little hard work can take you anywhere (including getting super fit and crossing a half marathon finish line).

Take it away, Steph…

If you told me I’d be able to run a half marathon ten years ago, I’d laugh at you.

If you told me I’d do it with the woman my high school sweetheart left me for, I’d be in absolute disbelief.

Both those things happened this month.

Let me give you some background.

I’m not a runner. No way. Running is every other sports’ discipline. In fact, the only reason I volunteered to be my freshman field hockey team’s goalie is because of the abundance of “no running” that came with the position. Oh, we don’t run and stand around? Sure, I’ll go in net.

Fast forward to my high school graduation, where despite going to rival universities, my then-boyfriend and I would be all of three miles a part in Boston. But, like most high school relationships trying to make the college jump, we didn’t last.

Heartbroken, devastated, and shocked, you can imagine the feelings I felt when I would see pictures pop up on the recently-invented Facebook of him with his new girlfriend. I can remember crying one year as they debuted their Global Guts Halloween costumes. I stared dumbfounded at the screen when I decoded their all-acronym messages. I hated her – hated her! – for taking him away from me. My insecurity skyrocketed as I wondered why I wasn’t good enough.

A month after my college graduation my world was rocked: my mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 stomach cancer. Nine short months later, she would be gone. Many of my friends from high school, including the high school boyfriend, came to my mother’s wake and funeral to support me. My family and I received outpouring support in the form of cards – and one stood out to me.

The girl that I spent hours hating on the Internet – the one I couldn’t fathom being a human as I had created this monster in my head – sent me a sympathy card. A card from her? It caught me off-guard. It was such a classy move. It was something I don’t know if I would do – and I’m a card person!

At that moment, my perspective changed. The wicked witch I had in my head wasn’t a witch at all.

That girl is Chrissy Carroll. That girl is the one whose blog I’m writing on.

I connected with Chrissy shortly after receiving that card.  I invited her out to grab a drink together one night, and discovered we actually got along pretty well {photo below!}.  And the boy and Chrissy broke up after college, so any awkwardness was avoided on that front.

Over the years, Chrissy and I continued to stay in touch and build a friendship.  During the same timeline, Chrissy became a full-fledged triathlete. She was constantly emailing me to run 5ks and try new fitness routines. I had never met anyone with such tenacity.

Most of my emails back consisted of “You’re crazy to think I could do that!” or “Maybe next year but I’m not in the best shape right now.”

What about a duathlon? She would ask. “I don’t think I could remotely do that.”

Are you up for this race? It’s nice and flat. I’m too nervous to try that right now.

She finally got her first victory with me in 2013, when I agreed to sign up for a 5k on St. Patrick’s Day with her. I could barely run for 10 minutes so this 5k was more of a walk/run than anything else.

When Chrissy told me she thought I could do it under 45 minutes, I laughed. We crossed this line after 42 minutes or so.

As she was launching her career with online classes, I begrudgingly signed up. I completed her Revolution Remix and fell in love with a green smoothie. In 2016, I completed two online Fitness classes with her, watching the videos as she demonstrated what we were supposed to do.

During the planks, I will admit my hatred for her did come back. Ten more seconds? I hate you!

Somehow, Chrissy’s tenacity paid off. After years of “You could TOTALLY do this, Steph!” and generously supplying me with confidence, I agreed to run the Earth Rock Half Marathon. I downloaded her training guide, bothered her with question upon question (Can I sub-out a 10k for a 9 mile run or no?) and got my ass to North Andover two weeks ago.

And I did it. I ran the WHOLE thing – the entire enchilada – without walking in a time of 2:20:05.  {Chrissy’s note – is this not AMAZING?!}

I can’t tell you how proud I am of that. Chrissy, who was also on the course, sent me a congratulatory text.

There has been this constant presence of Chrissy’s belief in me for about eight years now. Eight years of “you can do this” and “you’ll surprise yourself” and “just try it – I know you got this!”

It took eight years, but after finishing that race, I think her sentiments are finally sinking in.

About Steph:  Stephanie is an author, social media and marketing specialist, and lover of all things Boston.  You can find her on Twitter and Instagram.

Share with me:  Have you ever had an unlikely friendship develop?  Who has been a fitness inspiration to you?  What’s a fitness accomplishment that you achieved that you never thought was possible?

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Chrissy Carroll

Chrissy Carroll is a Registered Dietitian and USAT Level I Triathlon Coach. She specializes in sharing nutrition and fitness tips, as well as recipes, for runners, triathletes, and active women.Chrissy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.

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