I Run These Towns

Last summer I had a friend describe me to a new acquaintance as such: he referenced a James Bond movie where Bond is impersonating someone who has a third nipple. Everyone who knew this person well knew about the third nipple, so he had to wear a prosthesis and pull it off. He finished the analogy by saying, "Samantha knows everybody's third nipple." It was one of the best compliments I've received in a while. Maybe ever. My entire life I've prided myself on sincere and purposeful interactions and relationships both in my personal and professional life. Have I always gotten it right? Absolutely not. But I put a lot of work into how I interact with humans. It's the reason I have solid groups of friends and acquaintances. It's the reason I've been able to build a successful consulting business. I put a lot of time and intention into people, and it matters. How do I do it...and why? If you know me you know I don't have a third nipple or  a colon. You ...

I started running in 2006 at the age of 27. I've always been active and enjoyed working out, but running became an obsession. With a body ravaged by Crohn's Disease, running is where I feel strong. Running is where I feel normal .  I ran my last half marathon seven years ago, in 2016. In ten years I ran 4 marathons, 22 half marathons, a half dozen 10-milers, a 15k and more 5k and 10k races than I can remember. I ran all over the country: New York City , Washington, DC , Pensacola, FL , Freeport, ME , Virginia Beach , Knoxville, TN , Indianapolis and more. Running wasn't just my hobby. It became part of my identity. It also came to dictate my family's travel schedule. In DC for the Cherry Blossom 10-miler in 2013 Knoxville Half Marathon 2011 NYC marathon 2015 Pensacola Double Bridge Run 2012 With Sean Astin after the Double Run in Indianapolis 2011 Virginia Beach Half in 2007 with my dad (who did not run) and sister After my last 13.1, in the fall of 2016, I developed a...

  A few months ago someone brought beverages to my house called "Mom Water". I'd never heard of it, and after looking it up (because you know I did not and would not drink it) found out it is fruit infused vodka water. It sounds disgusting.  On the Mom Water website they say they're trying to celebrate moms b ut I immediately jumped to the premise that being a mom is so terrible that we have to create a gross new wine cooler in order to cope. It made me realize I'm really over the negative mom culture.  I get it: being a mom is hard work. I've had late nights and early mornings. I haven't slept through the night in years. I've been thrown up on and given every virus known to humankind (except COVID surprisingly). My son was home for 15 months without childcare during the height of the pandemic. There were some very long days, and you bet I lost my patience. Sometimes I still do.  But it feels like we're in this place where it's trendy to compla...

I am the type of person who aggressively has my shit together. What makes me so insanely anal? Was I born this way? Did I mold myself into this organized maniac as a result of environmental circumstances? Did my parents see me behave as the together one and as a result created a world where I didn't get to be anything else? My guess is: yes. I appreciate that I'm ridiculous. I fully unpack the moment we get back from a trip even if it's really late. I have a packing list in a spreadsheet that I update for each trip. I do laundry every other day. When my son gets home from school I pack his lunch for the next day before we even think about dinner (also I LOVE packing his lunch, picking out his clothes, packing his backpack. Won't relinquish it). I have recurring calendar reminders to send birthday cards and presents to people I love. I go to the gym at 5 am so I can fit it into the day. I pick out my clothes for important events weeks in advance.  The other day, at 6:30 ...

I often have people comment about my positive attitude in the face of my health challenges.  Honesty? The last four years have been rough. I've tried really, really hard to stay positive and maintain a good attitude. Outwardly I've mostly succeeded. But there have been some dark times and days, and it's important to be honest about just how hard this can be.  In the fall of 2019 I had the first of five bowel obstructions I'd have over the next few years. I had no idea that it was the start of this challenging time, and I faced each obstruction with positivity and following all the steps. I once had a nervous new nurse inserting my NG tube in the ER, and I spent the time calming her down despite the knowledge that I was getting ready to have a tube shoved into my nose, down my throat and into my stomach.  NG tube selfie from August 2020 September of 2021 (and I obviously have a favorite headband) I had an abscess drained in March of 2021 (and kept the drain for 8 months)...

I love a handwritten note. Receiving one is, to me, one of the great joys in life. I'll send handwritten notes for all kinds of reasons: thank yous, thinking of you, congratulations, sympathy, or just because it's Tuesday. Every single day I have at least one handwritten note in my mailbox ready to be sent to someone. It's Wednesday, and I've already been to the post office twice. It has me thinking a lot about gratitude and being intentional about checking in with people this week. Being intentional and expressing gratitude doesn't happen naturally. Gratitude and intention are a practice. And practice, as they say, makes perfect. I've been thinking a lot about gratitude the last few months. The holidays are a season of gratitude. Presents are sent and received. Cards are exchanged. I send cards and presents because it makes me happy to send things to others. I love it. But I'm baffled that during this season of gratitude there are often not even acknowledge...