Marathon Triumphs

This past weekend, my daughter, Kate joined 15,000 other runners to tackle the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Marathon in Columbus. Her goal was to run the 26.2 miles and not only finish but achieve a personal best time. Training for a marathon is not for the faint of heart. My daughter was disciplined for months following a training schedule that found her doing long runs in the wee hours every Saturday morning. One weekend, she was scheduled to run 20 miles and the only time she could fit it in was after work on a Friday. And so, there she was, running well into the darkness to achieve her weekly goal.

Can we talk about a 26-mile distance? From my house to King’s Island is 20 miles. That means if you ran there, you’d still have 6 miles to go to be full marathon worthy. No stopping for roller coaster fun. And, if you have lots of time before your flight departs, try running to the Dayton International Airport. From where I sit, it’s exactly 26 miles away. Who needs an Uber when you can just run to your flight? As my daughter spent months training, I would often think about her in the car as I drove to here or there thinking 26 miles is a really long stretch.

Have I mentioned it rained the entire time of the race?  At times, it down poured. As my family and I staked places along the route waiting for Kate to pass, I noticed the multitude of runners, deep seeded in grit, putting one foot in front of the other with sopping wet shoes and rain dripping from their clothes. Perhaps many of them had to silence the naysayers in their mind wanting to sabotage their dream despite the aches, soreness and fatigue. I watched the runners of all ages pass by and could only imagine their internal dialogues as they willed themselves on. Kate recounted how she felt at mile 14 when the rain really picked up and discouragement threatened her resolve. She reminded herself she can do hard things and just kept moving. I’m sure she wasn’t alone in such reminders.

The community support for all runners was incredible. As the rain continued to fall, undeterred bands were speckled along the route, playing toe-tapping music to inspire the runners. Volunteers organized water and first aid stations. Multitudes of people lined the route cheering in universal encouragement. Strangers reached their arms out to any runner who needed a high-five boost. Even our little 3-year-old Archie, while waiting for his mom to pass, gave his intentional support to runners by offering his little hand. The entire 26-mile course embodied the best of the human spirit.

My daughter, along with thousands of others who endured their personal adversities to achieve their goals are super-champions, in my book. And if you ask Kate, she’d tell you the champions of encouragement who lined the course were a game-changer. In other words, all were in sync with one another in support and encouragement. That makes everyone a winner.

For the record, Kate ran her best marathon time despite the inclement conditions. That just speaks to the resolve of her strong body and impenetrable will. She joins thousands of others who wear their medals proudly despite some pretty hardcore soreness.

The metaphor of the marathon in a greater context doesn’t escape me. Life is full of all types of marathons. 26-mile challenges show up in all kinds of ways. Bottom line? You never know you can do hard things unless you just keep moving and accept the help of those hands reaching out to offer support. Just ask those who crossed the finish line in Columbus.