This weekend I had the opportunity to be a "cheerleader" for the SBY Marathon; it was divided into three categories - the full and half marathons and a 5K race. The full marathon was a qualifier for the Boston Marathon and the half did the same for the New York Marathon.
Needless to say, it was a humbling experience for me AND I WASN'T EVEN RUNNING!!!
***Side note - Jenny does not run!!! Nor have I ever enjoyed running. To be totally transparent, I'm not real big on exercise in general.***
My girls and I were assigned to report to our spot right before noon - - - mile 24.
MILE 24!!!
It's still amazing to me that at that point, these runners were still running!
And I wanted to share a few things I learned from my experience yesterday!
1. At some point you will want to stop. Don't!!!
We were right around a bend that sits on the river; we seriously could not have asked for a better location to be cheerers on such a beautiful day! Our location allowed us to see as soon as the runners turned the bend before us - and that was our cue to start the clapping and loud encouragement!!!
One woman in particular I had a short conversation with. As I called out to her, "You're doing fabulous!! Keep going!! You're almost there..." she smiled and said, "ugghhh, I've hit a wall. BUT I'm going to finish this!"
[Hitting a wall - experiencing a sudden loss of energy in a long race.]
You guys - whether it's a marathon or life in general, there are going to be times when we "hit a wall." But just like this strong woman, we have to determine in our hearts and mind that we will keep on moving. To summon that strength you didn't know you had to make it to the finish line. To just keep moving, putting one foot in front of the other!
I would imagine that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement, but an overall state of mind...reminding you that anything is possible!
2. There will be people along your path that you might not "know" but have been put there for a specific purpose.
I read last night that there were close to 1,200 runners!!! Out of those, I knew just a handful.
But my job was to be a cheerleader for these runners, whether I knew them or not!
That was my sole purpose yesterday!
One of the bike riders keeping an eye on the runners stopped briefly and chatted with us and said we were at the perfect spot for cheering because at this point, these runners were just tired.
And we saw it.
Some had to literally stop and lean against the trees to stretch their muscles, some had slowed to a fast walking pace, some just looked zoned out.
Yet many of the runners responded back to us, thanking US for being on the path, especially at the end of the race...but in my mind, that's where we needed to be because that's where I think I would need the most encouragement.
I found these and thought they were both appropriate for this:
I don't know how many times I said out loud that I was just so proud of these runners!!!
And, imagine this, found myself right emotional for them.
Friends - there are people on our paths, whether we know it or not, that have been put there for a purpose! Take time, even when you're steady focused on the end goal, to listen to their encouragement. It may be JUST what you need to hear to continue on!
3. We REALLY are BETTER TOGETHER!!!
Ok, talk about being emotional.
One of the moments that I will remember forever - two runners, coming from the opposite direction - coming FROM the FINISH line, already adorned with their medals. They came to finish out the race with what looked like "their people" - they met up with two other runners (that had succumbed to walking at this point) to encourage them to just keep on going.
It was a great example for my girls to see.
There are going to be times that we finish way ahead of others - but what an example it is when you can go back and help the ones still on their journey.
Because you HAVE finished, because you have come out on the other side, you can go back and remind them that they, too, can make it!
***
In closing, I wanted to share a personal testimony from my friend, Shannon.
She simply amazes me.
One - because she's just really an amazing woman!
And Two - because she rocked this marathon!! And I wanted to give you a perspective from a runner's standpoint!
Running a full marathon had been something on my bucket list since I ran my first half marathon over 4 years ago. I said, "I can't imagine ever actually training for it, but maybe some day when my kids were grown and I had more time." I then ran another half marathon, and several other small races, but put the goal of a full marathon on the back burner for something later on in life.
Then last spring I heard the announcement that the following year Salisbury would be hosting a full marathon in April 2018. My thought was "Oh my gosh - I have to do it!" But then I was reminded of all my many responsibilities right now at this point in my life, and I just didn't think it was possible. Between being a wife to a pastor (at a mobile church at that!), a mom, working full times as a teacher, and taking master's classes - I just didn't see how it would work.
Then this past fall I was at the Baltimore Marathon running the relay with 3 other people. I was leg one of the marathon, so I was able to be at the finish line and see the last leg of our relay finish. Not only that, but I got to watch all these people cross the finish line and finish a full marathon. Some becoming a "marathoner" for the first time. I seriously had tears in my eyes watching these determined people cross the finish line. I knew that I had to do it. I had to run the first ever Salisbury Marathon.
At that point, I was only running a couple times a week - from anywhere from 3 to 5 miles. I had always enjoyed running, but since my half marathons, I had just been running one or twice a week. I started doing my research on training plans and finally found one that I wanted to use. When I first read over Hanson's Marathon Method, I thought there was no way I could actually follow this plan. It has you running 6 days a week for most weeks, for 18 weeks, and peaks you at 57 miles a week. But I knew if I was committing to running a marathon, I wanted to do it the right way and be prepared. I started training the day after Christmas.
I knew the only way I could guarantee that I could get my runs in each day was doing them in the morning before work. So most of my training was done in the dark and cold before work. There was a lot of early bedtimes and even more early alarms. At the peak of training I was waking up a 4:00 am to get in up to 12 miles before work. It was hard, but every time I felt like sleeping in - I remembered my goal. I could do this. I knew God was keeping me healthy and allowing me the ability to keep up with the training, then I could do my part and show up. I reminded myself of this many cold mornings.
My verse for the race yesterday was Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I was so nervous and anxious going into the race yesterday. I knew I was physically prepared, but I was still so nervous. The Lord put this verse in my face in the beginning of last week - and I knew that it was my verse for race day. The hardest part of the race for me yesterday was around mile 20-21 when the extreme nausea took over. I'm guessing it was the sun and heat that did it to me, since my body was not accustomed to that type of weather. Most all of my training was done in freezing or below temperatures, and in the dark! But during those hard miles, I said Joshua 1:9 over and over again. I am strong and courageous - God's with me right here on this road. You've got this! I continued to say that the rest of the race. And God got me through the hard part and to the finish line. God got me through every single workout of this training, and He got me to the finish line of my first marathon! All for HIS glory!
Shannon came in 3rd place for her age group and 6th female overall! Like I said, she rocked it out!!!
***
As proud of I am of ALL these runners, I still don't have that desire to get out there and just do it, but I am reminded this:
Whatever it is you are trying to accomplish - it doesn't matter what happens between the starting line and the finish line - what really matters is that you decide to cross both!
Surround yourself with the people who want to help you reach your goals!
And remember, God will send people you may not even know to encourage you along the way!
Take the time to listen.
Learn to silence the noise and lean into the people cheering you on!
We are BETTER TOGETHER my friends!
xox,
Jenny
