thenextmile

Something happens to me each time there’s a race that I’m not a part of.  I get antsy, I think I’m missing out, and I wonder why I didn’t sign up.

This past weekend, two races in particular made me wish I had registered for a spring marathon – the Vermont City Marathon in Burlington, and the Traverse City Bayshore Marathon in
Michigan.  And while there were several other races this past weekend to choose from, I have connections to these two.

I live just an hour from
Traverse City.  Last year, I had hoped to run at least the half marathon portion of the race, but then life took over.  As I was watching the highlights on the news, I saw all those smiling faces.  Some runners cried as they crossed the finish line.  Some were in pain.  But they all had a huge smile, for they had just completed something that only 1 in 1000 will do in their lifetime – run 26.2 miles.  When I ran my first marathon, I remember that feeling.  The feeling of pain, triumph, and success are all wound together.  And no matter how much you hurt when it’s over, that’s not what you remember.  You remember who amazing you feel at the end for succeeding at something you worked months for.  I want to experience that feeling over and over again for the rest of my life.

In
Burlington yesterday, my friend Jackie ran her first marathon.  For Jackie, it wasn’t just about running 26.2 miles; it was a milestone in what has been years of hard fought effort.  For Jackie has lost nearly 100 pounds since 2004.  She has gone from someone who rarely took part in any physical activity, to someone who not only has become a role model for those looking to lose weight, but an excellent endurance athlete as well.  After hearing her race report, next May I hope to be lining up with her in
Burlington.

Sometimes I need to remind myself that there will always be races.  There will always be a reason to push to the next level.  For me, there will always be running.

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