I was able to get a solid run in this week for the first time this year. While I was running and thinking about how hard it was because I'm quite out of running shape right now.
To the girl who doesn't run all winter because she can't take the cold. (Me!) It's a good thing spring is so refreshing to run in and I miss running so much because getting back out there is hard.
So while I gasped for air, making my way down the lakefront path, I had a flashback to my fifth marathon, in St. Louis.
My parents were waiting around mile 25 and they were starting to get worried because it was taking me forever! So they started talking to the guy next to them who was super involved in the St. Louis running scene and was hanging out to cheer on some of his friends.
My parents may have expected me to come by smiling and wave and keep on running. This did not happen. I came over to them probably hoping they'd carry me the rest of the way and wanted to quit.
I'm guessing the guy they were chatting with expected this from getting the story from my parents.
He jumped in and ran with me (with his dog) for...I don't know...400 meters, but he just talked to me and got my mind off the pain. It was so incredibly helpful. I can't even explain.
I'll probably never see him again, but I'm so grateful!
P.S. The importance of having someone cheering for you along the way...I'll also never forget the girl who read my entire bib number in the Chicago Marathon 2011 to cheer me on.
To the girl who doesn't run all winter because she can't take the cold. (Me!) It's a good thing spring is so refreshing to run in and I miss running so much because getting back out there is hard.
So while I gasped for air, making my way down the lakefront path, I had a flashback to my fifth marathon, in St. Louis.
My parents were waiting around mile 25 and they were starting to get worried because it was taking me forever! So they started talking to the guy next to them who was super involved in the St. Louis running scene and was hanging out to cheer on some of his friends.
My parents may have expected me to come by smiling and wave and keep on running. This did not happen. I came over to them probably hoping they'd carry me the rest of the way and wanted to quit.
I'm guessing the guy they were chatting with expected this from getting the story from my parents.
He jumped in and ran with me (with his dog) for...I don't know...400 meters, but he just talked to me and got my mind off the pain. It was so incredibly helpful. I can't even explain.
I'll probably never see him again, but I'm so grateful!
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