If there’s anything I’ve learned over the past year, it’s that the endurance sport community never ceases to amaze me.

From awesome running buddies who wait while you work through GI issues mid 20-miler…to inspiring athletes who run mileage in the triple digits (in less that 24 hours) to raise money for charity…from rockstar running crews who provide encouragement and great conversation on long runs…to the many other new friends I’ve made along the way, it’s a group that’s filled with grit, guts and a whole lotta heart.

Which is exactly why I feel very fortunate to be joining the 2014 Coeur Sports Ambassador Team — to continue the tradition of “paying it forward.”

You see, Coeur is French for “heart,” and the root of the word “courage,” which is only fitting for a brand that has both style and substance. As you can see in this unofficial manifesto, the company encourages the gutsiness it takes to get to the finish line when all the body wants to do is lay down — along with a healthy dose of empathy and willingness to empower others.

That ability to lean on — and learn from — fellow athletes is exactly what helped me conquer my self-doubt while training for (and PR’ing in) this year’s marathon, and it’s what’s got me so excited about the year to come — not only in terms of setting new goals for myself (more details on those coming soon 🙂), but hopefully also helping to inspire and assist those around me as they strive to achieve theirs.

So, yes, the designs are gorgeous, the clothing’s super-comfortable, and I’m pretty pumped to have a fancy new kit to wear in my upcoming races, but it’s less about the gear — and more about the people wearing it. To Coeur, it’s just as much about being compassionate as it is being competitive, which is what attracted me to brand and makes me so darn proud to be associated with it.

They say you can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep, and I’m pretty sure the bar has been raised after joining this family of amazing women. But I’m excited to do my part to help make a real impact, and I can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store for us all.

Until then…Merry Christmas and happy holidays!