At the starting line of Sunday's half marathon in Des Moines, I waited for the race to begin. As I started to run, I reached to tap the timer on my watch... the screen went blank. Dead battery.
For a few minutes, I obsessed over the frustration of not being able to pace myself well. Trying to push those thoughts aside, I opened my eyes to the sights of the course including the gold-gilded Iowa State Capitol; I let myself feel the contrast between the brisk air and the sunshine and listened to the rise and fall of my feet in rhythm with the hundreds of runners surrounding me.
I watched the miles slide away, feeling strong. As I reached the 10K mark, the only spot on the course with a race clock, I realized I had started the race WAY TOO FAST. Through miles six to ten, I could tell my pace was slowing. One person after another passed me by.
The last half of the race circled a beautiful lake before returning to downtown. After crossing a bridge, we ran into the wind. I felt depleted. Coming up a small rise, I saw a man struggling as much as I was.
"I have nothing left," I said to him. "How about you?"
"It's going to be all guts from here," he said.
Throughout the last three miles, we stayed together. He would stop to walk and I would continue my steady, but slow, jog. Eventually, I would see him beside me again. Jerry, from Lincoln, Nebraska, and I, turned to the final stretch of the race. "Let's finish strong together," I said to him.
As I caught my breath after a fast kick to the finish, I turned to congratulate Jerry.
When the race we are running is real life, it is even more important to have a Jerry to keep us going. We need to know that we are not alone in the struggle. Sometimes it may not be clear who is doing the encouraging. In connecting with Jerry late in the race, I wanted to help him along, but I also gained strength from his presence. I kept his white shirt in my sights, making sure we stayed together in those last miles.
Who are you running life's race with today? How can you encourage your team to persevere and finish strong?
Hi Becky, Excellent post!
"When the race we are running is real life, it is even more important to have a Jerry to keep us going. We need to know that we are not alone in the struggle." - Wonderful!
Sometimes, simple gestures go a long way in inspiring us!
Enjoyed reading this post, as with all your other posts!
Posted by: Tanmay Vora | October 23, 2009 at 07:14 AM
You inspired me this morning - well you always do but this particular post made me smile and let me see just a little more of what you are made of.
Posted by: Lisa Rosendahl | October 23, 2009 at 07:45 AM
Great post, Becky. Reminds me that there are people around to support us on our life journey, if we only look for them. Sometimes we've got our nose down looking so closely at what we're doing that we don't see the person right in front of us.
Good for you for looking and connecting!
Posted by: Meredith Bell | October 23, 2009 at 07:46 AM
Wonderful Becky! Yes, sometimes encouragement is unseen reciprocal love that causes spirits to rise. Many blessings and good graces to you and your family as you move. And congratulations to your husband!
Posted by: Thomas Waterhouse | October 23, 2009 at 08:28 AM
Becky - The running post hits the criteria for a terrific piece in that it brought many images and people to mind. Susan Mazza, a new friend, we actually met on twitter and then in person, is a definite "running" partner in my life. It is the spontaneous phone call, email, sharing life's ups and downs that charges our batteries.
Thanks for giving me pause to appreciate the surprising and wonderful people that happen during the running of the race.
Posted by: twitter.com/bizshrink | October 24, 2009 at 08:34 AM
Wonderful post, Becky. Great inspiration for all of us to finish the half marathon - and to lead with others :)
Posted by: twitter.com/rikerjoe | October 29, 2009 at 10:59 PM