I don’t know what 2012 holds for us…or for you. I do know this, for our family – more now than ever: we want to live out good stories…And you can’t do that alone. ~ Jeremy Parsons from WeAreTheParsonsFamily.com

Dear sweet sweet friends,

Last year, several of you traveled with me by Book Club through Donald Miller’s Million Miles in a Thousand Years. We talked about our story. What we wanted our story to be. And how we would make that happen.

I stewed in those thoughts. I wanted to make something happen, but I didn’t know what. And then, in a moment of inspiration a few months ago, I started something that I believe has become my story. Something I think will be my story for years to come.

My little running club has really taken off. We’ve had as many as 20 people show up for group runs. 10 people showed up to start to train for a 5K when the only advertisement I had done was facebook and twitter. We are planning two weekly group runs. Women are meeting in small groups to get runs in. I wanted to connect running women of all experience levels because I know that my passion for running was ignited when I started running with others. And I know it would have been easier for me to keep it up in the beginning if I wasn’t alone.

This process has been scary for me. I’ve been afraid that I don’t know enough about running. I’ve been afraid that I’m biting off more than I can chew. I’ve been most afraid that no one would show up. But my smart in-real-life running buddy, Mark, sent me a tweet one day that I wrote down and stuck to my monitor.

And they have.

I’ve been very lucky that I’ve gained connections through the group. I have members who are graphic designers. I have a member who has amazing community connections and has rounded up partners, clinics and door prizes for our Resolution Runners. I am including information about the running group in the emails for several local races. I have members who are willing to come out early in the morning and in the cold. Somehow a group of people found me that want what I want: community.

So please forgive me if I’m a little absent over here. Be patient if I seem not as invested as I used to be. I’m not neglecting this blog because I am having a hard time or because I’m avoiding some issue in my life. I’m neglecting this blog because I’m working on building something. Connections. Encouragement. Support. Runners.

If you want to pray for us, send positive thoughts into the universe, or just be nosey, you can keep up with us in a variety of ways. I keep the website at LexRunLadies.com. We’re also on twitter at @LexRunLadies. And here’s our facebook group.

I’m building my story, friends. And I thank you for giving me the confidence to do that.