*This is part of a multiple piece post. Part 1–>
Last April I got this crazy idea to run a marathon. Fortunately, I knew my brother Brayden was also crazy enough to do it with me. So on October 11th, 2015 my brother Brayden and I ran 26.2 miles (well the last five to six miles were mostly walking) completing the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon in Albany, New York.
Running for me, especially long distances, is more than just about exercise or fun (cause a lot of times it is not fun). Running to me is a representation of the Christian life. The author of Hebrews writes, “Since we are surrounded by such a great crowd of witnesses let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with endurance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)
While running the marathon I continued to further recognize some things about my life and life in general.
Thought # 2: Encouragement is Key
Back before I decided to do a marathon I decided to do a half marathon. One of my old CS professors was leading a class titled “Training for Your First Marathon or 1/2 Marathon”. He invited alumni to join in, so I did. Not being an actual student and not living in the same city meant that my training was mostly done alone. The day of the race I actually had people to run with and it made a huge difference in how I felt at the end of the run.
Another time, when I was training for my marathon, I went on a long run and ended up passing a couple of other runners. As I was getting to the end of my run and feeling exhausted I ended up seeing the runners I had passed earlier. There was just a simple smile and nod of the head acknowledging we were all still out there, but it boosted my energy level a good couple of notches.
All this to say going into the Marathon I was so grateful to be running with my brother. He pushed me and kept me going at a rate probably faster than would have chosen, but having someone else run with made it seem so much easier. Regardless some where just before halfway my leg started hurting and I began to feel pretty worn down; however, as we approached mile 13.1 I started to get excited. I had been waiting for this moment to do something a mentor of mine had done to encourage me and a group of RAs while backpacking in a rainy sisters wilderness. As we crossed the half mark I belted out as loud as I could the chorus to Bon Jovi’s “living on a prayer”. I honestly don’t know how other people felt about it, but it lifted my spirits greatly.
We shortly there after ran though a crowd of by standers cheering us on and I lifted my hands and let out a whoohoo, which made the crowd just cheer louder. I explained to my brother that my goal was to never be so tired that I couldn’t do. I can’t image watching a bunch of runners painfully run by is really all that exciting, but the bystanders were there anyway encouraging us and I wanted to show my appreciation.
Energy is contagious. The bystanders where giving us energy through their cheering and posters with funny sayings on them and we felt it. However, I know from personal experience how draining giving the kind of energy can be, especially when there is no response. When I responded to the crowds cheering for us I provided them with some energy which then, they used to cheer all the more, resulting in a more energy.
The rest of the race I did my best to continue encouraging those around me: my brother, the other runners, the crowds and the volunteers along the route. And you know what? I think I ended with more energy then I had at mile 13.1
