My dear friend and former running partner, Phyllis Goldstein, passed away this last weekend. Running and walking were her passions. She was a joy to be with. I will miss her.
Phyllis and I met in the Los Angeles Leggers 13-minute-per-mile pace group in 2003. She was already in her late 60s, and an amazing runner. I could keep up with her on a training run, but in a race -- forget it! She beat me every time.
Before we met, Phyllis had encephalitis, which affected her short-term memory. She called me once and we had a long, pleasant conversation. After talking for about an hour, she realized that she didn't remember who she had called, and without any embarrassment, asked me who I was. We both laughed. She didn't let things like that get her down.
In the summers, Phyllis hosted a 6-mile Fun Run through Holmby Hills, past art galleries and the Playboy Mansion. Afterwards, the whole group would go out for brunch at a nice restaurant she'd picked out for us.
