A goal of mine before coming on the World Race: run a race in another country while on the race with friends.
A new goal of mine while on the race: run multiple races in other countries while on the race with friends.
Last Sunday hundreds upon hundreds of people gathered at the Palace for the annual Bucharest City Marathon + half-marathon, 4k, and 1k for kiddos. People from 18 countries came out for the event – including Africans, several European countries, and the good ol’ USA.
The highlight of this race was running with family…everyone worked together and ran around the Palace…a small baby loop – but enjoyed the company and support of fellow squad-mates along the way. Our squad leaders (Kim + Janina) along with Shawndell and Jeremy came to support and cheer for us all. At the end of the race EVERYONE received a medal…we felt like CHAMPIONS!
(here’s me sporting my medal)
(Lucas and Lia finishing)
(Sami was pretty stoked about her medal…)
(Jake, playing it cool with his medal…)
(Leah with her champion medal. She was especially excited about getting a prize!)
(Joshua – kissing the mark of his sweet victory over a Romanian 4k.)
(Kyla (a squadie) sporting her Fat-Boy attire and medal post-race.)
(P-squad racers cheering for something random after the race.)
(Running buddy group. As we made our loop, we split off into partners – these 4 ran together.)
(Miscellaneous Romanian man finishing his marathon + getting his sweet medal…He did it “Just for Fun”.)
His outfit inspired me…and earlier in the day I spotted his wife along the course cheering for him.
Lia said, “She loves him in purple…that’s why he’s wearing purple.”
The bright yellow short-shorts + sweet jacket – made it obvious this man was running for fun.
His smile lit up the finish-line and I hope to one day accomplish a feat like him – with the loving support of family.
(Even though we only ran a 4k…our race says Bucharest City Marathon…)
(GOOOOOOOOO P-squad!)
We travel together. We eat together. We minister together. We cry together. We laugh together. Sleep in random locations around the world together. Sit together. Learn together. Grow together. Adventure + discover together. We challenge one another – love one another – encourage one another + live out a life of bringing the Kingdom together.
We run together…because we’re family.
I realized about half way through this road race, that I could have run it alone – and it wouldn’t been enjoyable – BUT running it with brothers and sisters made it WORTH every step…it made it fun + made the running seem like nothing.
(continue on to part 2 of “running and family”…)
