A different perspective
Yesterday I woke up bright and early (well, early for a Sunday, but not as early as my normal wake ups for boot camp nowadays) to participate in my second Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Only this year I was participating as a spectator instead of a runner 🙂
I spent Saturday stressing over what to put on my signs (note – buying a new box of crayola markers is as exciting at 27 as it was at 7). I had a hot pink one that simply said “You Can Do it!” with the names of people I knew that were running. And then I made a second sign that said “You kick Assphalt!” I added the names of the people I knew running on the boarder of that one too once I realized how much nicer it looked than the pink one 🙂
My plan was to be around the 5km mark for a bit and then leave to catch some zs before brunch. But after my friends ran by, and Elaine joined me at the sidelines, runners were already coming the other way (so we were at the 18km mark) and we decided to stick it out. I was there from before 8 until after 10. I recognized runners at the 18km mark that I had seen at the 6km mark – and they knew me too.
After awhile I took to yelling out people’s names from their bib “You can do it Dave!” “Just 3 more km Katie!” “I can’t read your name in the red but you’re AWESOME!” – as I runner I know that encouragement goes a long way. Elaine and I laughed a lot – she liked to yell “THREE K” over and over. She got chastised once for leaving the .1 off her 3 km promise, and one guy stopped and exclaimed “FREE CAKE?”
He seemed pretty dissapointed. And it did sound a lot like Free Cake after we thought about it.
There was also one man that begged me to come with him. I told him I couldn’t, since I was wearing big rubber boots, so he gave me a sweaty hug and continued on his way.
Other highlights were seeing friends – some of whom I didn’t know were running. Loved reading the bib, and looking up to see a familiar face.
And to every runner who gave us a thumbs up or even just a smile, thanks. It made it well worth losing a sleep in and ruining my straight hair in the humidity!
So congrats to all those who ran yesterday. I’m so happy you all finished, and that I was able to be part of it. Now if only I could motivate myself to start the running again!
(The next race I’m registered for is the Toronto Women’s half in May – might have to do one sooner though!!)
September 29th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Hey Jenn! Thanks SO MUCH for coming out to spectate. It’s a lot of fun, isn’t it?? I know I always appreciate it when a runner acknowledges me out there, so I’m glad you were noticed and appreciated by many. 🙂 Sorry I missed you – I was looking out for you, but there were SO.MANY.PEOPLE.
September 29th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Again, THANK YOU!!