Everyone knows that it was a real struggle for me to sit out of the Columbus Marathon. I actually thought about doing it when I was at the expo..I figured I just wouldn't tell anyone about my decision until after I crossed the finish line. Luckily, my facebook friend picked up my bib taking away my ability to run even if I wanted to.
I am sure this is how an alcoholic feels when someone ask them to go to the bar. To take a runner to their favorite event but tell them they couldn't compete was like putting a drink in front of the alcoholic. I felt like it was going to be bitter the whole race but when the gun went off I felt pure joy. This joy was very similar to the joy I feel when I am actually running the event. It was weird being on the other side of the fence but it felt great to finally give back to the thing I love most... the Marathon.
Running is a one person sport to some people but to me running is a team event. It takes a coach, a teammate and mostly it takes fans to support you. I have been the coach, the teammate and now the crazy fan to support family members and thousands strangers. It gives me new meaning to the word marathon...COMMUNITY!
I will always love running the marathon but now I know I can love the other side of the fence as well. It's a true blessing to sit and encourage people to keep running strong, to keep pushing and to dig deep within. I could see the stories on all the runners faces.. running in honor of a friend lost, running to lose weight, running to do the impossible, running to stay young, running just because...I wish I could hear all the stories on why they decided to lace up their shoes because those stories are what the marathon is all about.
The Marathon is special.. A gift you give yourself. I am just happy that I continue to give myself the gift of the Marathon :)
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