Sunrise in New Orleans

Waiting to run a 5K race this morning in New Orleans, a kind medical student from Nigeria snapped my photo. I used to live here in beautiful NOLA during medical school, and to cope with stress and the insecurity of being nowhere near the top of my class I sought affirmation that I was good at SOMEthing by running road races every weekend (some of which I won! I was pretty fast at age 22). Fast forward ahead 23 years and here I am, back in the city I love, running a race but EVER so much slower than "back in the day." Slowed down by 2 kids, foot problems, heart arrhythmia issues -- no matter. I don't need to win, anymore. I'm just glad to be here. I love my running shoes. I love pushing myself. I love this city.