Monday, July 22, 2013

The Wholeness of the Half

At Chicago's Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon yesterday, I was overwhelmed with emotion as I watched Kate, Matt, Austin, Scott, Kelly, Anne, Bryan, Kyle, Jeff and so many others...running with so much conviction to the finish line.  Why didn't I have this compassion in my twenties?  The value I hold for my own health has only happened in recent years and it is accompanied by my sore joints and a few health scares; these kids are out there, in front of their aging, regulating their diets and exercise regimens, trying to beat their own best times, and seemingly having a lot of collective fun along the way.   It was a very impressive experience and I enjoyed sharing it up close.  I didn't even think about eating or drinking or sitting or watching Homeland while I was out there cheering and running after them.

And the people who watch marathons seem nearly as dedicated and invested as those who run.  The ones who carried signs got the high-fives:  "Go total stranger!  Go" and "It's not the first 100 meters that is impressive, it's the last!"

The carb-loading at the Maloneys on Saturday night as well as a late lunch at Benelux with JFM after, made this tri-state tour weekend one of the best ever!

"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run."  - John Bingham aka "The Penguin"

5:40 am!  Time to go!

Waiting for the runners!


Kate's arm - listing the people she was thinking about




2 comments:

  1. This made me think of the article about spectators that came out shortly after the Boston bombings:

    http://jezebel.com/the-people-who-watch-marathons-473405924

    Good stuff. Thanks for being the best spectators ever!

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  2. Thanks for being our biggest fans! It was so nice to have you there cheering us on and that Biofreeze at mile 7 seriously saved me!.The honey stick was a nice treat too! You're the best. Thank you!

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