Race 2 is complete! I ran a great race last Saturday morning. The total distance for the race was 3.4 miles, and I finished it in about 26 minutes. (That is about 7:30 minute/mile) The morning was a little wet, and we had to dodge a few puddles here and there, but it was definitely a great race.
I ran this race for Thailand, and it was the first time I got to sport my new, handmade shirt! Ryan made a shirt for me that I will wear for every race I run in. He was able to use the print shop at his work, Chippewa Valley Sporting Good Store, to print a shirt for me. On it, I will have the name of every race I run and the website to my blog. I figured it was a way for me to awareness of why I am doing what I am doing.
It was a challenging race, and I ran my heart out. There was one thing on this race that stood out to me. We started the last leg of the race, it was the final mile and it was up hill. It wasn't a steep "in your face," hill but more of a gradual "when is this going to end" hill. On the way up, a man past me. He wasn't too much older then me, but he had long legs.
Hills often take me out, but usually at the top I am able to pick it up again. That is what I did. I was able to catch up to that guy. I ran with him a ways. I didn't say anything to him and he didn't say anything to me, we just ran. Side by side. I could tell my presents there was urging him on, and he was doing the same for me. It was like we were pushing each other. I would back off every once in a while, but then I'd be right back there. At the finish he came up to me congratulate me on a great race, and he said, "I just couldn't get rid of you."
I don't know if he was admit it or not, but I will. It was because of him, I ran just a little bit harder. We both felt the pain and tiredness that comes with running. We both were sloshing through the same puddles. We were both on the same journey. We knew each other in a way. Because of that connection we shared he was able to pushed me to ran even faster then I would have run on my own. And I know that I challenged him as well. (Who really wants a girl to beat them?!) It was a neat experience. I didn't even know this fello, yet he was able to encourage me without any words.
Sometimes in life we need to run along side each other. Not saying a word, but just being there. It helps us get through things, especially hard things. And it helps us get through them and we both come out better then if we would have gone alone.
I don't think we were meant to travel alone.
As I think about this, I think about those I'll be traveling with on this journey. Those I will spend 11 months of my life traveling the world with. I am thankful for you. I am thankful I don't have to go alone. I know you will be with me to help me and I will be there to help you. I am praying for you.
