Life is Like a Race

I’m one of those freaks who wakes up at 4 A.M. to run a half marathon. This past Sunday I did just that and saw one of the most inspirational sunrises ever. It’s days like Sunday that make this Michigan girl feel lucky to live in South Florida.

For the past few years I’ve run in the A1A race - I’ve completed both the full 26.2 marathon and the 13.1 half marathons. Truthfully, the full marathon did nothing for me. It was a long run and I’m glad I stuck with it and finished with a respectable time, but I got bored easily and like the short ones better. You aren’t destroyed the entire day and still have a sense of accomplishment.

This year I coaxed a close friend into doing the race. She has weight issues and is in the process of taking off 100 pounds. I would train with her for weekends on end, walking ten miles at a time. Although she had a few family members walking it with her on Sunday, I could see a wave of anxious energy wash over her as we waited for the gun.

As we waited in the coral area I studied the display of humanity waiting along with us. There were people who exuded confidence (maybe too much confidence in terms of the guy wearing sparkly devil horns) and there were packs of muscle-bound athletes who wore nothing but short shorts and sports bras. Then you would see packs of regular moms sprinkled into the mix - people who want to feel that sense of accomplishment.

For whatever reason to run the race, the end result was a sense of accomplishment.  Sure it’s physical (my hamstrings can attest to that) but as you run or walk you see the determination and almost Zen-like quality within each participant.

One of our local columnists from the Sun Sentinel participated in the race, his first, and blogged about his experience. Even if you aren’t a stealth athlete it is a grandiose experience to breathe in and let it marinate in your soul.

When I crossed the finish line I was at peace and happy.  My time wasn’t of Olympic proportions (I finished 22 seconds over two hours) but I also knew that I soaked in the magnificent sunrise over the Atlantic and witnessed human determination.

My friend’s goal was to finish in four hours.  Her time was 3:53.  She was a little battered and bloody but felt fulfilled.  I’m making her run next year!