Half Marathon Memories

Over the past 6 months, a dear friend/running partner and I have been training for the Seattle Half Marathon.  For 8 weeks now we've been running at least 20 miles each week --  all for THIS:

We were finally here.  Waiting at the starting line.  Thousands of other runners.  39 degrees. The fog suspended above us as thick as the crowd.  

It was then the fullness of this moment set in.

Why had it never occurred to me that there would be SO much more waiting for me in the race than just getting to the starting and finish line?

I had completely underestimated the richness of the moments to follow as we all waited for the starting gun.

To start with, the calm, quiet as we all awaited the "go" surprised me.

The sea of runners slowly walked to and past the start line.

Due to the crowd's heavy number, and lack of space, (we were 3 minutes behind from the start line when the race started!), many runners waited patiently just to begin their journey.  I could not help but note the irony of it. 

Runners, in a race, not able to do just that.

I felt adequately prepared for the running part, not however, for the enormity of it all.

As we turned the corner and went down the next street and were finally able to run.  It was as if all that pent up energy from all the runners was finally released.  Like a pop can shaken then opened.

Boom!

Race was on! 

It was then when I really felt like we were being swept away.  And at a quick pace -- surprisingly fun!

Running in the middle of an otherwise traffic-filled downtown street felt strangely freeing and almost normal.  Funny in a way.

At one point, about a mile in, I turned my head.  As far as the eye could see were runners behind us.

And, the breathtaking scene painted before us, cresting the hill for the next quarter mile, through the thick, semi-clearing fog, countless heads bobbing up and down -- each to their own rhythm.

I think the word "WOW" escaped me and was spoken out loud.

Very. Powerful. Image.  

One I hope not to forget for a very long time.

Beautiful.  

I was one of many.  Thousands of people, all headed the same direction.  With the same goal.

Indescribable.

The course then took us running onto I-90 -- racing in the middle of the highway as cars on both sides continued to come and go.  Then through the tunnel where still-energetic runners whooped it up.

Once off the highway, people lined up on both sides in neighborhoods cheering.  Ringing bells.  Waving homemade signs.  For wives, husbands, some not as specific -- for me.  For us. 

My favorite sign a young gal held simply read:  "You're Awesome!".

At the halfway point there was a large group gathered, cheering at the top of their lungs, to simply encourage us that we were half way done.  One of my favorite moments was a full on marching band playing since we were half way done.

Another favorite memory I loved sharing with my running friend was noting all the GORGEOUS houses along Lake Washington.  Commenting which ones we would pick to live in...next door to each other.  Sharing these moments helped pass miles 5, 6 and 7 "quickly".  :) 

As we reached mile 12, I noticed the man's racing bib in front of us was flipped around backwards.  On the back he had lovingly written his wife's name.  And the date that he just lost her  -- to cancer.  He was running in memory of her.  Wow.

This was SO MUCH MORE.  In every way. 

How could I have thought it was just about starting and finishing?!  

As we pushed through the 13th mile, (uphill!), we turned off the street to run into the stadium.  We were completely exhausted.

There, on the corner, before the stadium, was my precious family.  In-laws and also joining them was my friend's family.  Familiar cheers!  Seeing them gave a burst of energy.

THEY were there JUST for us.

Again, very powerful.

We entered the stadium with very little energy left and yet, people were cheering loudly.  For us.  To cross the line and finish.  Wow.

As we crossed the finish line together, we were greeted by American soldiers.  Each one of them humbly laying the medal around our necks.  

Again, Wow. 

 What a blessing to share all these amazing moments with a dear friend.  Joy completely doubled.

Words fail to describe these powerful yet tender moments.  SO much more than I could have dreamed or imagined.  

Start to finish.

Perhaps a bit like life itself.