Rock 'N Roll Race Weekend

“Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.” -Henry Ford

In February of this year, my youngest sister, Katie, travelled to Phoenix and we ran the local IMS half marathon together. It was her first half and I was thrilled to be by her side as we first discussed the potential of doing the run, then committed to the run then trained for it and completed it together. We finished the half with cheers and bright smiles (through the rain, mind you) and it became a platform for things to come.

Within weeks, a new dream boldly arose from our successful half marathon…..what if we did the San Diego half marathon with our middle sister, Beth?? The run was on Beth’s 30th birthday! We took it as a sign and pitched the idea to Beth. She was ‘in’ so we signed up for the Rock ‘n Roll San Diego half marathon.

Signing up was easy. That part’s always easy, right?? All they need are sixteen digits and the expiration date off your stinking credit card and you’re on your way to a few months of training and stress the week before the race.

Then you wonder, “Am I ready?”
“Can I do this?”
“Am I Crazy?”

And then, the quiet voice of reason kicks in.
“No, you are not ready. You missed half your training runs!”
“Yes, you can do this, it’s just going to hurt!”
And the “Am I crazy?” question? That’s still up in the air.

The greatest part of mentoring my sisters through their first half marathons this year is that I could empathize with them in very real ways. In January 2008, I ran my first half and it was not only physically tough, but mentally challenging as well. I was able to check in on their progress as we all prepared for the half and direct them to resources as needed. Although we trained 500 miles apart, we kept together with our regimens. This was our “team” progressing and preparing for race day.

And then June 5 arrived! At 6:15 am the race started and the real work began. It was real. It was tough. It was real tough. Beth had the flu the week before and had not fully recovered. I had a running mentor once tell me that that’s how it goes. The week before a race, you inevitably pull a muscle, tweak a shin or come down with a major illness.

She said that running is about figuring out how to work through whatever has plagued you.

So, we worked through the race. Slowly, but with grace. We ran the first mile and as Beth felt the unrelenting urge to vomit, the decision was made to alter the game plan and walk the race. A finish is a finish. A medal is a medal. It took a little longer than anticipated, but we did it. We worked together and enjoyed one another’s company for 13.1 miles—and we made it!

{left to right: Katie, Me, Beth & Rebecca}

No matter how many races I run in my life, the two races I ran with my sisters will be ones of great importance. They were races that weren’t just about me.

There was a greater purpose to lead, train and encourage others to attain their goals.

I was blessed to have grown enough in my running that I could take someone under my wing and invite them along for the run.

So I ask you…..how could you encourage someone today? Who could you inspire to set a goal and help them reach it? Whether it’s educationally or physically, whether it’s learning to keep a house or cook a healthy meal, whatever it may be, who could you help grow and in what way?

I promise you this: if you will take careful watch and be prepared to love others more than yourself, the opportunity to serve others, become a “team” with someone and work together towards success will present itself.

And on a rather amusing note…..I should mention that I signed Rex up for the half and though he hadn’t committed to run the race, he hadn’t said ‘no,’ either. We went on one training run together over the past few months. I had lined up a sitter and as we went out the door, I asked, “Honey, you going to change out of your flip-flops?”
“Nah, I’m just gonna go for a walk and have a beer. You go run.”
So, off I went and slowly, he followed behind me in his flip-flops.
On the day of the race, I was unsure if he would tackle it. The day before, we had lounged at the beach and eaten lunch and dinner out. After that, Rex ate and drank whatever he felt like—we were on vacation, after all. THEN, he stayed up watching a movie!!!!!
“He’s gonna die tomorrow,” I thought, as I insisted on the TV being turned off at midnight.
4:45 am arrived like a jolt of lightning. Rex jumped up, got ready and we all left. As we arrived at the race, Rex shared that he was feeling pretty good and he was going to run it after all.
“REALLY?” I thought. “I commit and train for months on end. He decides at the start line that he’s feeling good and he’s going to run??” I loved it! So, he ran it. And he kicked my butt. He is my hero. No training, no sleep, lots of food and some drinks the day before and he finished. And good for him. I’m glad he’s my man—the courageous and gutsy leader of our family!