There are people who come into our lives and leave an imprint on our hearts, sometimes when we least expect it. That is what happened to me with a man I will call the “Kind Stranger.”

Last fall, after writing about my dad being inducted into his high school track and field hall of fame, a man who attended the same high school and had also run for my dad’s legendary coach emailed me. He had read my article and wanted to reconnect with my dad.

What turned out happening, however, is that he connected with me.

The Kind Stranger and I became email pen pals of sorts. “Having always had the classic loneliness of the long distance runner, it is nice to follow another runner’s viewpoints and advice,” he shared. He started reading my blog from the beginning (July 2012), and within a few weeks’ time, he read every single post I’ve ever written … more than 500 in total.

“I have now caught up on your blog having read through your archives. I am just amazed how much effort you put into your running, traveling and writing. Your blog is EXCELLENT for those new to the world of running as well as a seasoned veteran. I have many favorites from reading your blog. I loved your reporting of your experience at Hood to Coast … Another of my favorites was your story on Jessica Goldman running across the U.S. I have wanted to do the same thing since 1970 … Once I finally retire, my first activity is to finally make my way across the country on foot.”

The Kind Stranger was a solid runner. During his running days, his personal bests were 38:05 (10K); 1:00:25 (15K), 3:30:50 for the marathon and 12:00:00 for 50 miles. Foot damage and several knee/foot surgeries forced him to stop running about 12 years ago, however he refused to give in and took up race-walking.

“My logs that I have faithfully kept since 1975 have recorded over 52,000 miles taking me around the world twice.”

For months, the Kind Stranger emailed me often, sharing photos and stories from his own running, traveling and race-walking journey.

The last email I received from him was about four weeks ago. He invited my husband and me to dinner at his home in Florida where he lives with his wife part of the year and the other part working in New York City. Our last exchange was about us being too busy with work and moving into our new house to make our first “in real life” meeting possible. We’ll have to get together on your next trip, I wrote.

There will be no next trip, and we will never meet in person.

You can imagine my shock and sadness last night when I learned that the Kind Stranger suddenly passed away. I have yet to learn how or why, but I have simply sat stunned and saddened. I began to read through all of the emails that this wonderful human being wrote to me since November of last year. Tears streamed down my face as I read.

I never received the Kind Stranger’s permission to share his name nor have I ever met his family, which is why I will keep his identity confidential. But I know he would have loved being featured here after faithfully reading every article ever written on these pages. I want to share a few excerpts of his stories and messages, as it is the only way I know how to honor his memory. From humorous running accounts to the most serious subjects, he wrote to me about many things. Funny. Motivating. Sad. Thoughtful. His words touched me deeply, and I will never forget the kindness of the Kind Stranger who loved the roads, the outdoors and covering the world on foot. He told me his goal for 2016 was to walk 8 million steps, and upon retirement he wanted to cross the United States on foot. Together, may our miles add up to help finish achieving his dreams.

“Tonight I read about your 2012 Peachtree Roadrace with your mom. Boy did that bring back memories for me. I ran several Peachtree races in the 1980’s. Back then it was a “little” race. Only about 20,000 runners. They did not collect us in corrals and send us off in waves the way they do now … The strangest thing that ever happened to me was at the 1982 Peachtree. I was about four miles into the race when all of a sudden I felt my left shoe loosen. I looked down and to my horror, the sole of my shoe had come apart from the upper. It was only attached a little to the outside of my foot. I made my way to the outside of the race where I ripped the entire sole off and continued.

***

“I continue to read your archived blogs. The one I enjoyed reading this week was the one about when to replace our shoes. I have worn just about every make of shoe that has appeared on the market since 1965. Adidas, Brooks, Reebok, Puma, New Balance, Nike, etc. I even tried a couple obscure models by Ron Hill and Arthur Lydiard. My shoe of choice for the last decade has been the Nike Pegasus. The very best was the Bowerman Pegasus 25. I liked that shoe so much I once had nearly a dozen stockpiled in my closet.

When I was running, I could get about 700 miles out of a pair of shoes. By race-walking, I am able to extend that another 300 miles. I call the Pegasus I wear now, “my 1,000-mile shoe.” Friends have told me I should contact Nike about this. They think Nike would put me in a commercial. I tell them, Nike doesn’t want people to keep their shoes for 1,000-miles. Nike wants us to replace them as soon as possible. I am one of those people who finds something they like and sticks with it.”

***

“After reading your October 14th post, Harder Than a Marathon, I want to share with you the lyrics of my favorite running song. I first heard this song during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. They used it for a segment they did to profile the marathon. The song is The Heart To Climb the Mountain by Randy Travis. Here are the lyrics:

There’s a spirit only found inside a winner,
in those who never lose the will to try.
A strength we all can share if we only realize,
you gotta have the heart to climb the mountain,
if you wanna see the other side.

It’s a long hard road
sometimes you’re bound to fall
but you can’t give up on your dreams.
You might get knocked down,
but if you give your all
you’re a winner every time you play the game.

And when the journey’s over,
you can say with pride
you gotta have the heart to climb the mountain,
if you wanna see the other side.

There’s a feeling when we’re all here together
there is no words on Earth that can describe
and it will serve as a reminder until the end of time
you gotta have the heart to climb the mountain,
if you wanna see the other side.”