Finding Friendship Through Fitness
When Abby and Kelly met while working at the Tennessee Department of Revenue, neither knew their new friendship would lead to years of running races, encouragement and shared memories.
Their story began about a decade ago, when Abby was participating in a Couch to 5K program, and Kelly was training for a race of her own.
"I just said, 'If you can do a 5K, then you can do a half-marathon," Kelly recalls.
Abby thought Kelly was crazy, but convincing. Before long, the two were running together and building a friendship that extended well beyond the office and the finish line.
Over the years, they have served as wellness council leaders for Working for a Healthier Tennessee and have completed races across the state and beyond. They even recruited other runners and formed a group they called the Revenue Runners. Together, the Revenue Runners participated in races for WFHTN.
Although Abby and Kelly no longer work for the same agency, they have continued making time for one another. Sometimes that means a run. Other times, it's simply a 10- or 15-minute walk.
Kelly says even a short amount of time devoted to movement and mental health can change the course of an entire day. As working mothers, they understand how difficult it can be to find time for exercise. Still, they make it a priority, even if that means waking up at 5 a.m. to run.
For Abby, the reward is not only physical. Crossing a finish line reminds her that she is capable of more than she may have believed. "If I can run a marathon, I can definitely make it through this marathon of meetings," she says.
That same perspective carries into other areas of life, from navigating busy workdays to raising children. The discipline, confidence and resilience developed through running have strengthened both women in ways that reach far beyond fitness.
Their advice to others is simple: find a friend with similar interests and start small. Social time doesn't have to center on eating or drinking. Invite friends to try an outdoor yoga class, take a walk or pursue any healthy activity you enjoy.
For Abby and Kelly, exercise became the foundation for something even more meaningful: a lasting friendship. When asked what their friendship means to her, Kelly answers with one word: "Everything."
Abby gets emotional, reflecting on how much they've experienced together—milestones in their children's lives, career changes, personal challenges, busy seasons and moments of joy.
Through it all, they've continued showing up for each other. Life may have given them plenty of reasons to quit, but friendship kept them moving forward—one step, one mile and one finish line at a time.