though i run only when chased, i can appreciate the simple satisfaction a runner must feel. that feeling of being carried on by momentum, limbs moving independently of will. a true split of the mind body connection. because it was a 10k race, there was a real range of people participating. dads running with their sons, girlfriends on teams from work, marathon types who figured they might as well get a warm up in before their real training began...
each face was a story. some were flushed, some strained, some relaxed. as i scanned the crowd for my friend, i came upon a young woman wearing a ball cap and an ipod. she was one of the weary, visibly worn from her efforts. she too was searching, and soon found her mother. weakly, she called out to her: "mom", her voice faltered. having silently pushed herself through the race each step of the way, this was the moment where her accomplishment, now made real by the witness of someone who knew what it meant for her to be there, took shape. her mother, well dressed in a red cape and shades faltered somewhat, trying to place the source of her daughter's call. she called again, overcome now, shaking and covering her face with her hand, fatigue and pure emotion overwhelming her. calmly, her mom stood a foot away from her and opened up a hand made sign which read "congratulations, you did it!" the two embraced and didn't say a word for the next few moments.
i frickin lost it! there was a lump in my throat so large that i couldn't swallow and i found myself welling up. i was completely moved.
the air was literally charged with endorphins. i felt buoyed by the accomplishments of those who stood before me, walking side by side through the gates. so rare to come to celebrate the small victories. we were all beaming.
so glad i went. we so rarely get a chance to celebrate our friends in a public way. to share in those moments where we become more than we were an hour before.
proud of you jen. may just even run on purpose sometime soon!
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