Skip to main content

The encouragement of a stranger and a 10K


It is hard to believe that is was only seven months ago that I ran 13.1 miles averaging less then ten minutes a mile. Today, that wasn't quite the case.

I have been dreading, yet anticipating the Haunted Half 10K. Six point two miles after not running consistently in a very long time. Did I mention the hills? There were lots of them. I hate hills. (I am working on a way to come to love them. Be watching for that lesson.) A late night followed by a very early morning did not help my confidence.


The bikes lined up for the beginning of the half-marathon. (You know I am dreaming of the day when I am riding on one of those!) I snapped a picture of Tony ready to run his first half and worked on getting into the zone. Not easy, by the way, when there is a cold wind blowing. Playlist set, I lined up for the race and  was ready for the starter pistol to go off. And then the zombies came. Dancing zombies! Quite a show it was! I was pretty sure I would be joining them at the finish. (Join them I did. The zombies led us in some Zumba while we were waiting for the results.) We lined back up and were on our way.

     

My struggle began at about mile 3. I have a toe that has pretty serious pain whenever I am at about three miles into a run. Remember those hills I mentioned earlier? Toe pain plus hills equals some much needed determination to make it up to the top. I tried to keep running. I had no one beside me. It was so easy to walk... I hate to admit that I did just that. Only a couple of times and never for long, but I walked. Until the last mile. It was pretty much all uphill. My legs were dead. I had set a goal for myself to run the whole thing averaging ten minute miles. Even as I was yelling at myself, I walked. And then I heard a voice behind me. "Come on! We are almost there. You've got this!" That is all I needed. I took it slow and steady until the finish line was about 500 feet away. The girls met me close to the finish line and began running with me. Because of them, I was able to kick it in gear and sprint the rest of the way. I finished in 1:03:31. The man who encouraged me when I needed it most, met me at the finish line and congratulated me. Had it not been for the encouragement of a stranger and the support of my children, my time would have been slower. I didn't quite meet my goal of ten minute miles or running the whole thing, but I know that will come in time. 


Sometimes we don't know when someone is struggling. It is our kindness that silently encourages and support him/her through whatever it is they are going through. Thank you, man-who-encouraged me, for helping me find it within myself to finish strong! Thank you, Sana and Patti, for running by my side at the end! Thank you, Tony, for all those late night runs! Now to get ready for my next half on December 30th!   
    


Comments

  1. BethOctober 28, 2012 at 9:02 PM

    Way to go Mandie!It was fun watching you and so many other friends run past my water station today. You keep going on that journey, for you will inspire others along the way just like your stranger did for you today. And yes, you WILL conquer those hills!!
    --Beth

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Aging sucks.....or does it?

Upon first thought, watching a parent age sucks. Unnoticeable at first. A bit of a stoop, some creaking in the knees, whitening of the hair. The doctor’s visits begin, as do the pills One for high blood pressure, another to thin the blood, and a handful of vitamins to top it off. The signs are there, but it is easier to see him as he has always been. My father, a pillar of strength. Until my pillar was knocked off-kilter. A simple surgery and the mortality of my father looked me square in the eye when the drugs took hold of his brain. Amidst his fidgeting and confusion, I realized…AGING SUCKS! And then….enlightenment dawned upon me….AGING IS BEAUTIFUL Wrinkles tell of smiles while silver hair speaks a life of memories. Knees creaky after years of kneeling in prayer, offering up a lap, and climbing up the stairs for one more kiss goodnight. Almost forty-eight years of memories nestled in my heart. Memories of my father. Taking us to church each Sunday Building and fixing ...
2 comments
Read more

The Hardest One Yet

 From the time I began this blog, I made the conscious choice that I would be honest and open in the moment – whatever is going on. For the most part, I have done that.  After struggling about whether to write about this particular challenge (let alone share it), I chose to do the uncomfortable and do both – write and share. “Your certification has not even been processed yet. Probably won’t happen until at least the middle of January.”  I took a deep breath as I heard those words a couple weeks ago and I realized what that meant. Christmas would look very different than originally planned. The retroactive pay that Santa was counting on to make the holiday something special for our family would not be coming. I took a deep breath as I hung up the phone and walked out of my classroom, despair bombarding the hope and excitement of the upcoming holiday. A tornado of thoughts began whirling in my head as I walked to the guidance office. Playing with our budget in my ...
7 comments
Read more

Letting Go

While in Pueblo you were parents of my students, but more importantly, my friends. After all, McClelland is a family. We talked, joked, and confided in each other like sisters do. I left for summer looking forward to the change I would find upon my return. That year instead of excitement, the new school year brought chastisement, accusations, and allegations with no chance to speak. People I thought of as friends chased away my exhilaration. I put a smile on my face, determination in my stride, and met the school year head on - complete with demeaning, inept, and judgmental challenges that came my way. My team one of strength, bravery and courage holding me up with each new blow. As the fall turned into winter, I overcame distrust and welcomed you in again. Smiles, laughter, and honesty filled the year. When it was time for me to move on, you sent me on my way with warm wishes and promises to keep in touch. I said goodbye and began my new adventure. Whispers of your relief abou...
3 comments
Read more