One of the first things friends ask me: “Where are you at in your 1,000 miles?”

So, it’s no surprise that in “mythousandmileyear.com” I’ve thought a lot about distance.  I’ve also been thinking about distance as it relates to growth – personal, professional & friendship – not as easily measured in miles.

As I enter the second half of my year, I’m grateful for all of those who have logged miles during the training that helped prepare me for the half marathon and the full marathon (shout outs to Bridget, Dana and the Mollys, as well as my sister to making a special trip to Madison for the marathon & running 11 miles!).

I’ve also spent time reflecting on those who have allowed me to grow personally and professionally.  I was able to spend the weekend with one of the people who have been the most influential in my growth, Holly.

Physical distance between our houses has ranged from 15 feet (last summer when we were roommates) to 5 miles (when we both lived in Boise, Idaho) to 4,500 miles (when we both lived abroad) to the current 280.  Our friendship has grown over the past six year from a once-a-month or once-a-quarter “keep you updated,” to a day-to-day friendship with a strong foundation, which includes honesty, trust with equal parts listening and sharing.

On our 2 mile run this weekend, I enjoyed the chance to share an important part of reaching one of my 2011 goals and listening to Holly share a recent realization in her life.  It wasn’t all about 10,360 steps on Sunday, rather it represented many more that brought us to the necessary level of trust to bring us together that day.

Holly, thank you for making me a better writer, friend and person. Love, Amy p.s. Neva, we missed you.

As I approached the White House tonight Akon’s “Freedom” started playing.  I got goose bumps.  It’s 85 degrees.

I was immediately taken back to China & the feelings I had on my runs there.  A typical run included seeing the 80-year-old woman picking recyclables out of the trash, store keepers hauling boxes, workers taking a nap at the construction site, families eating around a small table outside on the sidewalk and I’ll never forget the little kids yelling “HELLO” and “lao wai, lao wai, lao wai” (foreigner).  Whenever Michael Franti’s song “Oh My God” would play I got goose bumps, too.

I hit repeat on “Freedom” & kept running.

Sunday; nothing.

I spent the last week on an island about the size of 2 city blocks (approximately 6 ½ acres) as a volunteer counselor for a high school leadership camp.  Rather than dizzy myself running around the island, I decided to take in the other activities like canoeing, kayaking, swimming and boating that I cannot enjoy in land-locked DC.  I also spent an afternoon learning a dance routine.  I have no rhythm, but a lot of soul and a very patient teacher (thanks, Erin!).

Jenni, a friend from high school, has told me about the camp she volunteers at for at least five years.  She talked about the transformation she’s seen in the students over the years (it’s designed for campers to return for 3 consecutive years) and adult volunteer leaders.  She talked about the inspiring speakers, the energizing atmosphere and the space necessary for reflecting.  Jenni always ended with, “There’s just no other place like it.”

“You should volunteer next year.”

I finally took her up on the offer & have already marked my calendar for next year.

There’s something special about the people and place that make liquid sunshine out of the challenges faced.   I found myself watching as the magic of letting go, living simply and having fun took over the shy and self-conscious teenagers, as well as the “grown ups.”

My “mileage” for the week is zero, but the distance I traveled isn’t easily counted in miles.

Jenni – Since JV basketball with Mr. T, you’ve always taken me under your wing & encouraged me to give everything my best shot.  Although, I didn’t live up to my full potential as PAM at LTC, I reconnected with myself in a way that wouldn’t have been possible anywhere else.  Thank you for welcoming me to such a special place to you, including your home. Love, Amy

Sara here. This early Sat a.m. run took me up the Bowery, around Union Square where the Greenmarket was already swinging, even as people were still asleep on the park benches.

Then I ran through the East Village to Thomkins, where the Howl Festival was in the process of setup. I didn’t take any pictures – the one you see here is from last year’s festival, which was in September.

This time last year I was packing up my life in LA – what a crazy time that was. In fact, for the better part of last year, I was constantly throwing myself into the night in the way that one does when things never feel settled. That’s how I felt moving to a new place, despite the grounding influence of old friends and many 5+ mile runs. (I’m sure other people have healthier ways of managing, but on the upside, there was no shortage of fun in my approach.)

On this early run today, I was calm, well-rested, not hungover. I am grateful to feel at home again. Meanwhile, I’m about to pack up and move again, but only three blocks, and to a quieter street.

I was also thrilled by this run because I reclaimed that old familiar feel of the endorphins sparking up my thoughts and creativity. Only recently did I remember how much I loved that about running – and realize that nothing has quite replaced it.

What you were doing this time last year? Are you a better you today? Are there old habits worth renewing?

Regardless of whether you do anything about it, it’s fun to think about.

Hi to Amy and Amy’s readers! I finally got a run in – going to shoot to go a few times a week now that the weather is great. Blooms showing up everywhere in Tompkins Square Park. I’m looking forward to being outside more again!

I knew Bruce less than 6 months.  I met him August 23, 2005.  He died February 22, 2006.  I’ve never done the math on that before.  The friendship and trust we develop in such a sort time seems surreal to me now.  I don’t know his favorite color (might have been blue) or movie (we only watched 1 together, “Patch Adams”).  I don’t even know what type of music he liked.  We gardened, cooked, did yard work, organized his closets, drank PBR and picked apples.  But, I was there for him as he died.

His family asked me to speak at his funeral, and this is what I said:

About once or twice a week after we met, we worked in his yard moving dirt and sand from one pile to another, positioning and repositioning blueberry bushes never to find the perfect spot.  Bruce liked things done his way and I became very good at following directions.

Sometimes I tried to anticipate what he’d need – sometimes I was right and sometimes I’m sure he wished I hadn’t tried to “help” at all. Nevertheless he’d smile, give a “Yahoo!” to recognize my effort, and tell me how to do it right. I’d reciprocate the smile and comply with the new direction.

As Bruce became less able to do the little things around the house, so many chipped in to do whatever was needed. It was much easier for me to see what needed to be done around the house than it was for me to know what to do with this garden nutrient and that pile of compost. Doing the dishes comes naturally, using a Roto-tiller doesn’t.

It was an honor to spend as much time as I did with Bruce. Often I remember thinking that I didn’t belong, because I had just met Bruce & who was I anyway? Your warm smiles and hearty welcomes & Bruce’s delicate hugs reassured me every time that I had a place not only in Bruce’s home, but also in his heart.

Running brought Bruce and I together more than 5 years ago, and running is still introducing me to great people wherever I go.  I was able to share this run (and a cold PRB at Solly’s) with a new friend, Jenna.  You never know what 6 months will do to develop a friendship, and you never know the impact you truly have on someone’s life.

Bruce, I still smile thinking about those blueberry bushes and about climbing in an apple tree to get just one more bushel.  The blueberry bushes were never planted and we threw away the rotten apples after you died.  You invited me to be a part of the last part of your life & your death, but I will always wonder about the jet-setting, bike-riding, suit-wearing, trail-climbing, beer-guzzling Bruce I didn’t get a chance to meet.

Jenna, Thanks for running with me & asking about Bruce.  It was nice to talk about him, but focus on our shared interests and insights on life to develop our friendship.  It’s what Bruce would have wanted.

My year of a thousand miles will not equal a year of one thousand blog entries (many of you on my Facebook feed will appreciate that fact!).  At the yoga studio last week, someone said, “It’s so nice it’s not January, the classes aren’t as crowded.”  The opposite is true on the streets in DC.  The warmer temperatures and tour buses have people out exploring this great city.

I am proud to be one who hears the crunch of the gravel beneath my feet on the Mall, smells the fried doughnuts outside of Crispy Cream, listens to the music playing on the outdoor patios in Georgetown and anticipates the budding cherry tree blossoms.   Bridget and I have been logging longer runs on the weekends and it feels good to push a little further and pick up the pace.  We aren’t speed demons by any stretch of the imagine, but we are out pounding the pavement and learning more about yourselves and our friendship through the miles.

Next Tuesday marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of my good friend, Bruce Hogan.  Running brought Bruce and I together in MaCall, Idaho.  We spent the fall gardening and picking apples together.  In the winter, I made him oatmeal and warmed milk for his breakfast while learning about his rich life and the painful truths of death & cancer.  I’ve celebrated his life in the mountains of Tibet and on a beach in Vietnam.  I’m already looking forward to running with Jenna through the streets of DC to honor his memory and celebrate friendship.

Amy’s Runs: Saturday, 1 hour / approximately 4m pool run with Bridget and Amy; Sunday, 6.5m run through Rock Creek Park, the Mall and Dupont with Bridget, Gina and Colleen; Monday, 3m run to White House – 106 total miles in 2011

A month ago, Amy, tagged me with the Stylish Blogger Award, so here’s seven things about me.  Dana and Holly – you’re up next!