True friends
Don't you think its strange that you can meet some people and get along with them well and yet, when distance and time separate’s you, they are forgotten and life moves on. And yet, when you meet others, something clicks and neither time nor oceans can interrupt relationship kicking off, just where it left off the last time you met. It truly is something cool!
I had that experience today.
Before we went to America, I corresponded on and off with a guy named Jackson Long who runs a website and podcast by the same name In The Flow Nutrition (www.intheflownutrition.com) (and even before that I was listening to the Thought for Food podcast he shared with his friend). He’s an ex-junior pro cyclist, qualified nutritionist and all round badass mountain athlete. When I knew we were going to the US for the Leadville 100miler, I reached out to him and hoped to meet up while we were in Boulder, Colorado. A long shot and a bit random but I’ve never one to shy away from putting myself out there!
So, upon arrival, we did just that. I met Jackson in person, he shared a meal with my family and I and we hit it off. We subsequently chatted about him taking me running in the front-range round the flations and then…THAT happened. I haven’t told him but that was the most memorable run of my entire running career. The fact that I have wanted to go to Boulder for nearly a decade, watch videos with them in it nearly every day, the town, the trails, the ambiance and the company….heck, we even ate wild raspberries on the trail, all combined to make the outing one I will never forget. Jackson hung out with us a couple days later again and I am eternally grateful for him going out of his way to make time for a random Australian invading his town. Thanks mate, super super kind of you!
Since leaving Boulder, I have had sporadic communication with him. A couple of weeks ago I messaged to shoot some questions his way in relation to my Cross Country run next year. After some back and forward, we arranged a phone call today where we took up, right where we left off! Some 75min later, I left the conversation smiling and happy that I know a guy like Jackson and stoked to be brewing some things with him going forward. The Cross Country campaign could be changed with him a part of it.
It truly is one of the simple pleasures of life. To meet people, have, share and build relationship with and connect on a deeper level than g’day. I long for these friendships and from someone who has MANY acquaintances, I sometimes struggle with having few true friends. Not often however, as I am very content socialising at work, spending time with my family and on my own, but true friends are a rare gem. I hope as time moves on, Jackson and I can continue to communicate and be mates for life.
My hope is that you can too find these people in your tribe. That you can be open enough to let people in, not be afraid to put yourself out there and make friends you hang on to. I find it mind-boggling when I meet people who have been buddies since primary and high school and are always interested in what has made the relationship stand the test of time. Find out. Learn. Grow and nurture those around you that you love. Heck, it's the foundation of life and I believe, one of the main reasons we are on this earth.
Be kind, love freely and never be afraid to hear ‘no’ if you put yourself out there and are vulnerable with those you meet. You never know, that person you take the chance on might be a friend for existance. Much love friends, have a rad week.