A Marathon of Inspiration

Last week, we attended the Austin Marathon in Austin, TX.  My Honey’s youngest son was running the race and had been training for it with other members of his Army unit.  We are very proud of him for undertaking such a task of endurance.  What we never imagined though, is how we would walk away so inspired by the stories we saw. 

The race started at 7 am on a Sunday.  The morning was still cool and overcast.  Good weather for runners.  We started our day at the two mile marker. 

It was amazing to see how many people had entered . Close to 20,000 people had entered to run an half marathon or a full marathon.  26 miles for 26 charities was the theme of the marathon.

It soon became evident that every person out there had his or her own reason for lining up at the start.  They also had their own reasons for crossing the finish line. 

Whether it be to see if their body was physically able to do it, or they were running for a family member, some one with cancer or another illness or disease,

As the race started, we were awestruck at the traffic jam of people that continually ran past us at the two mile marker.  Some had a very serious look on their face, others were still jovial, smiling and jestering to the official photographer that was in front of us. 

We moved to the eight mile marker.  The people had thinned out some, but the looks were the same.  People wearing costumes, runners getting the crowd to cheer them on, determination, concentration, and a few with a vivid imagination!

        

As we made our way to the finish line, we were able to watch so many of the half marathoners cross the finish line.   Couples that crossed together, some elated to have pushed their bodies to do what they just did, all ages, all walks of life. 

We watched as the first full marathoners crossed the finish line.  An amazing feat of mind, body, and soul.

  

  We had a great position 50 meters from the finish line.   The expressions of every marathoner as they turned the last corner and had the finish line finally come into view. 

I think we saw every emotion you could imagine.  I saw tears – tears of elation, tears of belief.  Prayers were being said.  We saw people that still had enough energy to give it all they had to give a final push to cross the finish line.

We witnessed a man whose legs just would not go on. 

Then, we witnessed two total strangers, stop their own race, and pick him up to carry him across the finish line.

 

A true testament to the goodness of mankind. 

Runners would pick up their babies near the finish line, so they could cross together. One couple was married at the 22.5 mile marker. 

We saw faces of agony, faces of determination, and faces of accomplishment. 

   

Thanks to my daughter, for her inspiration, and her photography.  She took the pictures for today’s post!

She  inspires me, as does this young man!  He finished the race! 

We could not be prouder! 

The whole time, I kept thinking… what can you really do with your mind and your body – when you really want something?  At what price are you will to pay in order to reach your goals?  What sacrifices are you wiling to make in order to make your dreams come true?

I have sat down and changes some of my goals for the future!

Until next thyme, what type of marathon are willing to run to accomplish your goals? 

Karen