Because the Caveman took on a half marathon long before I did, I was on the sidelines cheering before I ever ran in a race. Now that the fall racing season is winding down, I wanted to give special props to the spectators of the world who:
Broiled or froze out there for hours on end
Shouted until their throats were raw
Put their hands out for high 5’s
Rang cowbells until their knuckles ached
Jammed Lady Gaga and played air guitar
Squeezed onto jam-packed trains to make it to the next viewing spot in time
Held signs, balloons or handed out orange slices, etc.
You know who you are
Thank You!
I appreciate every spectator who comes out (well maybe not the one who shouted “this is a marathon not a walkathon” in that final underpass in Boston last year. For the record it wasn’t I who was walking but that was mean all the same).
But there are two who really stand out in my mind:
At the Chicago Marathon around mile 17 (it was hot and so many were struggling) this year, a man said “You trained hard all summer for this, don’t let that go to waste. YOU CAN DO IT!” Something about the going to waste part appealed to my inner frugalista because this really motivated me.
The other extra special spectator that comes to mind was at the Grand Rapids Half Marathon where the half split off to head in (about mile 9). She was blonde and had signs but it’s what she said that stuck with me. She said “You’ve got this, stay on your pace. You have more than enough. Bring it in.” Simple enough right? But that’s exactly what I needed to hear at that point. Yes I have MORE THAN ENOUGH. She knows it, now I need to BELIEVE it. I swear it helped me stay strong through those last miles where I usually slow.
