Some of the scenery along the way has been spectacular. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it is hard to imagine anyone not appreciating the many beautiful locales scattered across our country. From the rolling hills and mountain peaks, to the thick woods and tranquil lakes, nature always fills the senses.
We humans have done an amazing job of complimenting nature with wonderful creations of our own, Beautiful buildings, monuments, and other architectural masterpieces serve to enhance what nature has created along the routes of many of our runs.
Having said that, in my mind all else pales when compared to the human spirit. Yes, you read that right. My experiences with people provide the most meaningful and memorable moments of every trip.
In addition to having my wife and best friends along on most trips, I have always met interesting and caring people at marathons.
Everyone has a story to tell, and there’s nothing like a few quiet hours (running) together to get to hear them. I have witnessed acts of kindness and support from fellow runners that give me goose bumps. Marathon runners are some of the most amazing people that I’ve ever met. From California Cathy to New Jersey Jodi, these newfound friends have hearts of gold.
Reflecting on these experiences brings to mind a short literary piece that says it better than I can. Entitled “We Run As One,” the author, Jerry Dunn, writes:
“As marathon runners, we are family. We share a common experience. We have mutual respect for one another. Some members of our family run like the wind, and we are proud of them. Some of our brothers and sisters walk more than they run. We are proud of them too. The elders of our clan are held in high regard for their commitment to continue on. The young in our midst are encouraged to grow and learn.”
“Everyone in our family is a winner. Even the last one home is crowned ‘The Slowest of the Winners,’ a victor just the same!”
“Our family has no ethnic, political or religious restrictions. We are one. We come together in the early morning with a single purpose and a common goal, and we do whatever we can to help each other cross the finish line and get our medallion, a physical reminder of our achievement.”
“ We look at the person running next to us and we see a sister or a brother, another human being, nothing more, nothing less. And, as we look at them, we smile. We offer a word of encouragement. We want them to succeed. We want them to be proud of what they have accomplished that day.”
“We run as individuals, we run as one family. We run as one.”
