#1. After a few of these, I've decided that weather trumps everything else in a marathon. I don't have all that much experience but I agree with you completely on the weather thing.
#2. Everyone I know showed huge courage on Sunday, the finishers and those who intelligently decided that today wasn't the day. There is nothing more sobering than arriving at the finish line only to be hurried out of the way of an ambulance. I personally felt fantastic - I decided to stick with my injured teamates until our coach could take over and i think the slower pace saved the day for me. I didn't have a great TIME but I had a wonderful time getting there.
#3. THANK YOU SUPPORTERS, from the bottom of my heart, for being all over the course for we the runners. AMEN. I was aware enough to observe my fellow runners the last few miles. If there were people cheering and watching, almost everyone ran but when we turned a corner or the crowd support dropped off everyone slowed to a walk. And those that could no longer run were the most encouraged.
#4. And most importantly, I observed perhaps the most amazing husband-wife interaction, on the largest scale, that I've ever seen. I ran the last few miles of the marathon with a WISH teammate named Dave. He was also doing Goofy. He had run the half with his wife and was suffering from that run but said " I would do it again." There he was, in pain, trying to complete an extremely difficult challenge, and he was still experiencing the joy and pride of running the half with his wife.
Having been the spouse that hauls the kids and cheers, I know the worries and what a tough, long hard day they had. Having run a race with my husband, I know how incredible that experience can be. And finally, having run a race alone, I know just how hollow the finish can feel without someone to share in the victory. So hug your spouse this morning and tell them again how glad you were that they were there to share that moment with you.
