Have you ever seen something so beautiful and touching it brought tears to your eyes? I'm a total sap, so it happens to me all the time.
Yesterday I was able to run in a 10K and stay to cheer at the finish line for friends who ran the Half-Marathon. I love watching at the finish line. It's kind of like the airport baggage check when loved ones are re-united, but even better. If you're ever discouraged or sad head on down to a local race. Such joy and encouragement all around.
My favorite is watching young kids cheer on their parents. A little boy yesterday could barely contain himself when he saw his Mom running down the home-stretch. Jumping up and down with an enormous grin on his face yelling out, "Good job Mommy!!." He was so proud and utterly delighted.
My other favorite is watching people cross the finish line who have obviously struggled and worked so hard to get to that point. Don't get me wrong, it is amazing to watch the uber-athletic people jet across in record time while barely out of breath (crazy kids), but there is something about those who had to struggle to finish that is beautiful. You can see it in their faces at the end. Pain and fatigue, but also pride. They know they are bad ass. Training was not easy, but they did it. The race was long, but they did it. Watching them accomplish this goal, and watching their friends cheer on proudly . . . happy tears.
Most of the time training for a race is a solo sport. Sometimes run with a couple of other people, but usually solo. At the sidelines of a race it feels like the onlookers become a part of it too (just like the "sixth man" in basketball). I'm convinced this is why race times are often a little faster than training times. Encouragement helps the runners to run a stronger race. It made me wonder how I can be more of an encourager to people in everyday life who are struggling to "finish strong"in one area or another. I also started thinking about all the cheerleaders who help me to keep going when I'm tired. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you. I live stronger because of it. It is a beautiful thing.
