Reality Check

Earlier this week, one of my favourite bloggers Beth over Shut Up and Run posted something that struck fear into the heart of every runner.  Sherry Arnold, a close family friend of Beth's, went missing early one morning when she was out for her run in the small town of Sidney, Montana.  The chilling thing?  All they found was her shoe, so immediately the mind races to something sinister.  All week long Beth posted updates as people in bloggieland hoped and prayed for what would be Sherry's safe return .   As I've posted before, the blog running community is amazing.  People who've never met cheer each other on, commiserate over injuries, and support one another through the good and the bad.  I don't know Beth and I don't know Sherry, but I found myself thinking of them often and checking in regularly to hopefully find the good news that Sherry had come home.

Today's update was my worst fear.  As soon as I read it, my heart sank to my feet and I was so upset.  Partially it's because I'm sure as a female runner, I identify with her...it's hard not to think that it could easily be any of us.  To be honest, I had a pretty cavalier attitude about running safety and would do the patented eye roll and melodramatic sigh every time Hubs would vehemently insist that I not run on my own...I'd lament constantly "I'm fiiiiinnnnne!!"  This is the reality check that makes me realize...he's right.  The only teeny tiny positive in this horrific story is that hopefully it may save someone's life by making them think twice about running safety.  My heart just absolutely aches for her family, especially her husband and children.

Tomorrow Hubs and I are going out for our weekly long run, and you can bet that I'll be dedicating my run to Sherry and thinking of her along the way.  Rest in peace.