My New Running Buddy

As I mentioned in my recent posts, Little Diva just learned to ride her bike. I could not be more thrilled. This child of mine would not even get on her bike a week ago (training wheels, or not). She had absolutely NO interest in getting in the saddle and giving it a try. She’s barely even rode her bike on the sidewalk with the training wheels over the past year.

I was more than excited last Thursday, when she decided to dust-off her two-wheeler and give it a try. The four of us headed to the dead-end in our neighborhood, because there is no traffic, the surface is flat, and she would have more room to weave. She had some trouble at first and the frustration set it. Finally, as I falsely boosted her self-confidence (making her think she was doing more than she actually was), she started smiling, became motivated and self-confident. It was amazing how that encouragement propelled her forward … literally.

Suddenly, she had momentum ... and balance ... and KNEW she could do it.

As each evening approached over the weekend, she would ask to try out her bike. We happily headed down to the dead-end to see how much she’d improved each and every day. But night #4, she no longer needed me to stand along side her.
I ran along side her for approximately two miles! We both thought this totally rocked.

Heading out again tonight
for another two miles together


On night #5 we did the same thing and only the mosquitoes sent us home! She’s actually helping me with my speed work, because the little stinker is overly-confident and I have to sprint just to keep up with her.

It’s amazing what a few small words of encouragement can do.



Who / What encourages you to keep going?
What makes you think you can
accomplish new goals you’ve set for yourself?