My Marathon Man

     This weekend was a momentous one for our little family.  Beautiful Bald (Brave, Baffling, Bodacious) Husband COMPLETED his first MARATHON! This phrase in itself gives me goosebumps. I want to be able to express the feelings of elation and pride, but I am afraid I might fall short., but I will do my best.

     A year and a couple of weeks ago we as a family went to spectate a 5k that some friends of ours were putting on.  I wasn't sure what it was going to be like to spectate a running event. BUT, it was a lot of fun to get caught up in the energy of the race. It seemed pretty clear that spectator encouragement could really impact a runner's moral.  I watched my husband watch his friends run. I could see the interest and desire begin to peak on his face. It was like watching a little kid waiting on the sidelines of their siblings soccer game. Just full of fervor and aspiration. It was a few days later that he began to run.
     At first, BBH said that he was trying to "build stamina" for other athletic interests he had. I think this may have been his way of covering just in case he wasn't any good at it! But, what do I know... it is not like I have been married to him for 10+ years or anything.  A few weeks later, his good friend (and soon to be running partner/trainer) participated in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.  BBH came with him to help with water stops, energy boosts, and all around encouragement.  When he came home from this event it became crystal clear that completing a MARATHON was his next goal.
     Beautiful Bald Husband trained for a year. A YEAR he devoted to preparing for a single day of athletic achievement.  He took breaks, he would occasionally slack off, but he would always get back to it. Running. It was determination at its definition. He was willing, even when he didn't think he was! And believe it or not, I think some where along the way he began to really enjoy it! I think somewhere along the way, he allowed himself to admit he was a "runner."  At least in his own head, if not out loud.
      When it got closer to the race, he began to waffle a bit, though I know it was just nerves. He kept procrastinating signing himself up. So, finally I did it for him. (I'm such and enabler.) When I called to let him know it was like I had told him I got him the puppy he had always wanted. I loved it! Then, things got serious. Preparations began... and nerves went up.
     The night before the race, I could almost feel the energy vibrating off of him. I knew he was nervous. I knew there was nothing I could really do to help that much, though I did what I could. The night was long, despite the fact that we were both up by 4am. I saw him off... and that is when the emotions started.  We exchanged a look as he was walking out the door.  It was a look of, "Wow. This is really happening." His was mixed bag of excitement, pride and fear, and mine was a double shot of admiration... straight up.
     Somehow I managed to talk my parents into coming out with me and the kids to watch the race. Even though it was so early the sun wasn't up. Even though we knew there was a high chance of rain. Even though we would be schlepping two kids around without naps or decent food in their bellies, they agreed. They were two of the best partners in crime! Such great attitudes and willingness to hoof it and do what was needed not to miss our stops! I am so grateful to them. (I totally have the best parents in the world!)

     With the help of a friend, I had plotted several spots on the course map. I had planned on seeing him at least 6 times in the TWENTY SIX + miles he was going to be running that day.  The first stop was right around mile three. We got out, grabbed the stroller and Smaller Child, who was completely confused as to why we were all so excited and running around so early in the morning.  Larger Child climbed out of the car and grabbed his sign he made a few days prior. He told me what to write, I aim to do his bidding on genius ideas like this!

 
     I was amazed by the sheer volume of participants. I think they said they had 26,000 runners!! I really wanted to stand in the middle of the street so I could get a better pic of the sea of athletes! I had little experience with this kind of number, and though we did our best at this stop, we only caught a fleeting glance at OUR runner as he came whizzing by with a huge smile of recognition on his face. HA! Mission accomplished.  Now off to stop two.

     The next stop was at mile seven and a half.  We didn't have much better luck catching him this time either.  We did see him, he did see us.  He did smile again.  At this point, he was looking great, and I was already looking forward to the sweaty hugs and kisses of jubilation at the finish line!    
     We got to stop three a bit early.  It had started to rain a bit at this point, and we were all in our ponchos standing in the street waiting for our hero to pass again.  It was mile 13, just about the half way point. The runners had spread out much more and I was really hoping to get a connection with BBH at this stop.  He had been running with his friend/trainer for most of the race, and when he came by first without BBH, I was surprised. He stopped and waited with us for a bit. Then the wait went a bit longer.  Then we started to worry.  His friend thought maybe we missed him, so he went on to see if he could catch him. We continued to wait.  A good solid five minutes of sheer panic and heart failure later my man, my hero, my warrior came down the path!  He was clearly pained. You could see on his face he was hurting and exhausted. I wanted so badly to just take off and run with him, or at the very least give him all my energy and strength to carry on.  BUT, I knew without a shadow of a doubt, even if he had to drag himself across with his fingernails, he would cross that finish line. That is just the type of warrior he is!  Regardless of this knowledge, my first instinct was to pray as I watched him continue on.

     The next stop was mile 17.5.  I was hoping for the best. I was hoping his friend caught him, and was able to push him through the juggernaut size wall he was face to face with. I was waiting (rather impatiently) for a glimpse of the smile that I saw at mile three and seven.  We had some time to kill, and Larger Child became VERY skilled in amping the runners up.  He realized rather quickly the best way to motivate them was to give out high fives, or knuckle bumps! I would encourage this behavior by yelling, "Free high fives! Guaranteed to get you to the finish line!!" He had done this at several stops, so many of the runners began to recognize him and ask him for the high five they expected from the super rad six year old on the sidelines! (I have the best kids in the world too!)

     Smaller Child was still doing exceptionally well at this point too.  He managed to get a nap in, and had become very skilled with a cowbell! He loved clapping for the blurry fast things that whizzed by him, and would yell just as loud if not more so than the rest of us!

     While the children were fantastically cute distractions, my mind was still on Beautiful Bald Husband.  Where is he? How's he doing? Did his friend catch up with him? Is he smiling again yet? When will he get here? (and so on...) After some deep breaths, I waited.... soon, here he came!! The smile was back!! There was a new sense of determination on his face, and we all got gloriously sweaty hugs!! At this point, I knew he was GOLDEN! Now, I could relax and just cheer him on to the finish!

     We had one more stop just past mile 22, he was still smiling. Didn't stop this time, but I think he had a finish line in his mind... he was focused, tired and very determined.

     We made our trek downtown to the finish line. There was a huge crowd of spectators. Family, friends, just supporters all standing waiting and cheering to support our athletes as they accomplished one of the greatest acts of physical exertion.  I was so proud to be one of the many there with a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart. The energy was incredible. I witnessed several people cross the finish line, and every single one inspired me and awed me. Their faces could tell a story all on their own.  It was just beautiful.
     But, I was there for one main reason. To witness my husband, my warrior, my hero, my Beautiful Bald Husband achieve the goal he set for himself over a year ago.  All of the hard work, all of the sweat, pain, strength, time, agony, and joy all came down to these few steps, and I was there to witness it! I was there to see him become a man who had completed a MARATHON.  It was exhilarating and glorious!! My pride was enormous and my heart was too! I had so much love for this man! I couldn't wait to catch his eyes and let him know.

     We have a way of expressing these huge emotions without saying a word. We did this that day. I caught his eye behind the gate... and he knew. He knew how I was feeling, and I did the same... and I wept.

 
     That was the day my Beautiful Bald Husband became a Marathon Man. That was the day my love and pride for him reached a new level. I learned THIS man WILL accomplish ANYTHING he puts his mind to.  And we will be right there, cheering him on.  Always and forever, his biggest fans!!