Jeannie K's Running Partner

Subj: Al Vargas

Date: 4/22/05 10:48:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time

From: jeanniek

Where do I begin. How do I begin. I was/am out of the office today taking a vacation day to enjoy my kids and so not receiving e-mail at my usual address. I am still in shock finally now believing the terrible news that I spent awhile disbelieving this afternoon. I received a phone call from Gina Gemaro (9:30 group) in which she told me that she had bad news. Just last night, I had talked with Gina at Niketown about my weekend running plan and so she thought immediately of me and called. My mind quickly went to all sorts of bad news but never to this.

Tomorrow morning, Al and I had planned to meet at the senior center at 6:10 to leave at 6:15 for a 22 mile run. Our first run together since the LA Marathon where we kept each other company before the race, for the first 10 miles of it and then again after the proud finish. It was just yesterday that we were e-mailing back and forth to one another. He was really looking forward to doing the long run. I was so looking forward to having his wonderful company again. He expressed that he had recently done a 14-miler and was not having trouble with his IT band and we were good to go. And then this information that I really couldn't/didn't take in while I was on the phone with Gina. It wasn't until after I called Al's cell phone and spoke with his son that it all sunk in. How can this be?? How can this happen?? Al and I have been that funny "odd couple" you guys have probably seen so many times running together. And as funny as we may have appeared together, we fit together perfectly. For so many hours together on our long runs, I would enjoy his companionship. He would tell me about his daughter in Spain and his son in college. We would talk about running or sometimes nothing at all. But he was there by my side and I knew that he would have stayed by my side if ever I needed him. He was that kind of guy. He has been my rock...the guy I could count on for all the long runs. Until his IT band problem. And that was a difficult hiatus. I can not fathom this. I always loved to run with Al for so many reasons not the least of which is that he was an incredibly upbeat positive person! He was impossible not to like!

As I said, I always believed that Al would have been by my side if ever I had any problem when we were running together. Well, I need you now Al! I need you tomorrow morning at 6:15 when I hit the road. And as hard as it's going to be, I'm going to go out there and I'm going to do what I know you would want to be doing. And I will think of you Al as the miles progress and I will think of you when I finish and I look for your hand for a high five and I will think of you when I go to get our traditional coffee at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and I will think of how I can try to be a little more like you--warm, always willing to lend a hand, and kind always.

I will miss you Al! You will always be my running partner.

With so much love and affection,

Jeannie K (aka the other Jeannie)  

P.S. (from Saturday afternoon) As you can see by the time this was (re)sent, Saturday morning has come and gone. And it was tough. I chose to run Southbound today because that's the path Al and I always took. And as I did, I was reminded how much positive energy he always provided which I could not provide for myself today. I was reminded by little things like how he would always make sure that I was safe telling me each time there was a car or bike. And his positive spin on our distance--we're almost there he'd say even though we had many many miles to go. And I chuckled a bit inside thinking what a gentleman he always was. How at the Legger party my husband kidded him by asking if he wanted to dance with his "girlfriend" and how awkwardly embarassed he seemed. We were so different from one another in all respects--two people who probably never would have met but for running. And I am so grateful that I had the good fortune to know him.

 

And a last postscript. I think it very odd...Al had an IT band problem for months which just recently improved. I, on the other hand, have never had such a problem....until today which made most of the 22 miles an even greater challenge.

 

Post P.S. I will contact Al's son today and forward any information I have regarding a memorial to the group.  

 

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Jeannie Lee's response to Jeannie K

Dear Jeannie,

My heart pours out to you.  And, I CAN feel your pain. I, too was shocked beyond words.  Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. 

THANK YOU heartily for such a superb account of Al.  NOBODY could have written a tribute with the feelings you had to deal with; and what a story to remember him by. 

I ran with Al couple of occasions when he was in the 10:30 pace group; and also at NIKE CRLA Ladera site.  But then, he got too fast for me just like you.  I will always remember him  whenever I run any 5/10K races; as I will always imagine him passing from behind and cheering 'GO JEANNIE, GO'! 

Jeannie, be strong, keep on running, tough times don't last.  There's a loving God watching over you, and that, throughout this time, He'll stay close by your side.  Al will be smiling down cheering you, me and ALL his running friends on as we put our feet in front of the other.

Thinking of you.  Praying for you. Standing with you.

~Jeanniexo~