The 5K Mom: Finding magic and wisdom in the last miles of the year

By Emily Kulkus

There’s a popular story on the Internet right now about two people who kindled a friendship through the online game Words with Friends. The story seems somewhat unremarkable until you read the details: He’s 22 and a rapper from East Harlem. She’s an 81-year-old woman who lives in a retirement community in Florida.

The two Words with Friends players connected by chance and played more than 300 games online together before meeting in person recently. As their games stacked up, the two began to chat about their lives.

At one point, the young man explained that he was signing off the game for a bit because he was getting too busy pursuing a music career in New York City. He asked his elderly opponent for some career advice.

She replied: “Whatever you want out of life, just go grab it.”

And when people really started buzzing about the unlikely pair’s friendship, she said she didn’t know what all the fuss is about as “people should be behaving this way with each other all the time,” according to The New York Times.

As we head into this busy and often stressful holiday season and also look forward to a new year, I know I’m going to try really hard to adopt both of these philosophies as much as possible -- for my sake and that of my family's. And why not, right? Life is short! There’s no time to spare. If you want something, go get it. If you want to cross the finish line – do it! There’s never a perfect time, which means right now is the right time!

And as for her thoughts on how people should be behaving? Right on, sister. Kindness is easy. Kindness is necessary – today more than ever.  

On Saturday evening I will ride out to Seneca Falls with a carload of my friends for my second It’s a Wonderful Run. Definitely one of the most magical races around, this race will always be on my calendar. Last year I ran it on a cloud – high on the sights and sounds of Christmas lights, crackling fire pits and kitschy costumes.

This year I’ll run it knowing I grabbed a few of my own goals this year: two sprint triathlons and my fastest 5K in at least three years. And while I’ll probably be chatting with friends along the way, I’ll also think of that wise Words with Friends Player and how I can better adopt her her philosophies in 2018. I hope you find as much magic in the last miles of the year as I do! 

Emily Kulkus is marketing coordinator at Fleet Feet Sports, Syracuse. Reach her at ekulkus@fleetfeetsyracuse.com.