I am not a runner. I do not particularly enjoy running. I do not look like a runner. I do not run like a runner. But I think, just maybe, that I have become a runner.
A little over three months ago during a discussion or a work out session one of us came up with the idea of doing the Broad Street Run. I can take full ownership and say that it was not me. Nope.
We began running before three times a week before school. True confessions...part of me didn't think we would actually do it or maybe be able to physically accomplish it. As week two went into week three and then a month became two our morning runs and weekend distance runs became something I looked forward to.
I am thankful for my friends. As runs became more like catch up sessions with my friends and an opportunity to lower my stress levels the miles no longer felt so overwhelming.
As May 5th arrived and I joined 40,000 other runners it was a pretty powerful experience. For nearly all ten miles there were people lined along the streets cheering, offering 'free' high fives and heaps of musicians jamming for goodness and encouragement. As I ran through different sections of the city and people from all walks of life cheered for us I found myself smiling and filled with a sense of pride and goodness that THIS is what our country is about. In those ten miles there were no gender, religious, economic discrepancy. We were all united. We were all Americans.
A little over three months ago during a discussion or a work out session one of us came up with the idea of doing the Broad Street Run. I can take full ownership and say that it was not me. Nope.
We began running before three times a week before school. True confessions...part of me didn't think we would actually do it or maybe be able to physically accomplish it. As week two went into week three and then a month became two our morning runs and weekend distance runs became something I looked forward to.
I am thankful for my friends. As runs became more like catch up sessions with my friends and an opportunity to lower my stress levels the miles no longer felt so overwhelming.
As May 5th arrived and I joined 40,000 other runners it was a pretty powerful experience. For nearly all ten miles there were people lined along the streets cheering, offering 'free' high fives and heaps of musicians jamming for goodness and encouragement. As I ran through different sections of the city and people from all walks of life cheered for us I found myself smiling and filled with a sense of pride and goodness that THIS is what our country is about. In those ten miles there were no gender, religious, economic discrepancy. We were all united. We were all Americans.
I was honored to have run with 40,000 other runners. I was moved to be in the midst of a pretty overwhelming experience that I will never forget. As I reached mile nine my body was hitting a wall, but as flags were waving and we reached the naval yard I started to think about the many potential challenges that lie ahead. I never thought I could run ten miles. But I did. Broad Street sparked something within me. I want to dream bigger, push harder and go forward with the knowledge that if I am determined and focused I can do it. Let's do this!
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