Seattle Rock'n'Roll - Running, Walking, and Reuniting

Just about a year ago, after meeting a blogging friend in person for the first time, I wrote an article called Neither of Us was a Catfish! 

The term "catfish" refers to a person who pretends on a form of social media to be someone whom they are not. I had always cautioned my children about the dangers that lurk online - - and then found myself meeting Lana (who blogs at Two Teens and Their Mama) for lunch!

Seattle is not too far from Lana's hometown, so when I was there for my son's soccer tournament a year ago, she and I agreed to meet at a restaurant for lunch. Before we met, the only thing I knew about Lana was what I had read about her on her blog; yet I was sure we would be friends. My instincts were right. We had a wonderful afternoon together, and have been good friends since.

I was so lucky that the 2015 Seattle Rock'nRoll Race provided an opportunity to meet up with Lana again this past Saturday.

Lana and I,  just before we walked the 8K of the Seattle Rock'n'Roll Race last weekend.

We decided to walk the 8K of the Seattle Rock'n'Roll together, as her son and my daughter
had signed up to run the half marathon.  I thought perhaps we would be talking so much we would really dawdle, but even though we chatted non-stop, we kept up a brisk walking pace the whole way.

Racers at the Rock'n'Roll were inspired by musicians alone the way.

Part of the Seattle Rock'n'Roll course went right along the waterfront.

It was really fun to be able to spend some time walking through beautiful Seattle together on a glorious sunny day, and celebrate with our kids at the end.

Our 8K course merged with the half marathon just in time to see Lana's son coming along at an impressive pace; my daughter was pretty happy after completing her first half marathon!

While I still believe it is important to be really cautious and smart about on-line communications, I have found that blogging is an amazing way to make some really good friends.  While in British Columbia this past spring, I was able to meet up with Kelly from Just Typikel for lunch - and our lunch stretched out almost until dinner time! It now feels like she and I have known each other for years.

Kelly (from the blog Just Typikel) and I met for lunch in Canada a few months ago.

It was fun that some of my family and Lana's also got to meet each other. My sister and her husband ran the half marathon as well and my husband had planned on it, although a training injury prevented him from participating. There is talk of doing it again next year, but I suspect I will see Lana again sometime even before then.

My daughter,  husband, sister, brother-in-law, and I all met up after the half marathon

My Rock'n'Roll race bib, shirt and medal

I have thought a lot about the reasons I have been comfortable meeting these on-line personas in person.  Lana and I talked a little about it as well.  I think it has a lot to do with a writer's voice.  A blog is most enjoyable when the writer's voice is very strong. When a writer is truly authentic in their writing, their personality shines through. 

Another reason I was comfortable meeting up with Kelly and Lana is because of the pictures they had posted on their blogs over the time I had been reading them.  I knew what the person I was meeting was supposed to look like! 

In Lana's case last year, I even recognized her husband and sons right away from pictures I had seen of them on her blog. Had the person who showed up not appeared to be the person I was expecting, I would have just walked away!

Lana and I, after the Seattle Rock'n'Roll

Have you - or would you - ever meet in person someone you had only previously met online?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!