Sometimes I feel as though a true, honest role model is hard to come by. When we identify such a person, we should revel in the ability to observe a driven life led with energy and heart; someone with whom we can relate because he/she maintains values similar to our own and has worked hard to achieve excellence in whatever endeavor chosen.

The January 2008 edition of Runners World has an article about Joan Benoit Samuelson that, when read over my morning bowl of oatmeal, immediately inspired me (yes, that "I" word!) to think about what trajectory I want my own life to take, and what it means to treat people well along the way.

When getting back into this sport last summer, I was at the Colorado Colfax Marathon. I hadn't been to a marathon in nearly two years. I was wheeling down the hallway when I passed a small, spry woman who remembered me by name and greeted me with a "Well hello, Cheri!." It was Joanie. We chatted for a bit. I recall that day very poignantly as, at the time, I was very much troubled with thoughts of a difficult road back to athleticism, and found myself wondering if it would be worth it. Joanie's greeting reminded me of how far I had come in this sport, the legacy that I already left, and the way in which that could carry me through in the coming year. That one friendly greeting in the hallway, in many ways, set the theme for my comeback.

In reading this article, I am struck by the ways in which the athlete's experience crosses sport, body type, age, etc. At her peak, Joanie would have done anything to win. Simply - anything. Pure, unbridled competitive drive. I can relate. It was hard for her to take the time to stretch, do a slow warm up and cool down, and attend to many of those "extra things" that have to be tacked on to a workout, because she was always so eager to hit the road. I can relate. After her win in the L.A. Olympics, stamping her platform as the first winner of a women's Olympic Marathon as well as the only female Marathon gold medalist in U.S. history, she wanted nothing more than to turn the focus off of herself and bring attention to those around her who supported her and set the stage for her success. I can relate. She writes thank you cards and thank you emails incessantly. I can relate - and I am now motivated to write even more. She simply knows how to be. And I think I've found a role model.

Thanks so much, Joanie, for taking your platform and using it for such a tremendous amount of good.