A Marathoner

This past weekend, the McQueen's had the privilege to spectate the OKC Memorial Marathon for the second year.  This year was a little different than the last, none of us were participating in the run, but our hearts were right there on the course with the runners... one in particular.

Over the past months, Beautiful Bald Husband had been training with a good friend of his, Corey.  He and his wife, Allison, are two of the raddest people on the planet, and one of the most fantastic couples we have met. We are totally blessed to have them in our lives. So, when the time came for Mr. Eubanks to complete his very first marathon, we had to be there to see it!

If you have never spectated a race, it is important to express to you just how interactive it can be.  Spectating itself, if you do it right, can be damn near a sport too! It also has some pretty incredible paybacks, and instant gratification.  When you cheer on the runners, even if they don't know you from Adam, you can see it change them right there on the spot.  Agony can turn in to smiles, walkers get a second wind, those so focused on time and distance get a distraction and remember to have fun... and we get to see it! You can watch their face, gait, speed, posture change! It is AWESOME. And those runners that you DO know, sometimes you get sweaty hugs and kisses, awesome high fives, and maybe even a tear or two... (but I'll never tell).   If you have spectated a race, GOOD FOR YOU!! You know first hand how transformative it is. 

It was absolutely gorgeous weather that day, warm but not hot, no wind.  The course was packed, and the energy was buzzing.  You can't help but get caught up in it.  Our kids have come with me several times to races, and even though we are schlepping them around in and out of cars, only to stand on the street for what in kid time feels like HOURS, they seem to really enjoy themselves.  Larger Child is an incredible spectator and cheerleader.  He counted that he gave out over 800 high fives on the course.  When we talked about it, I said, "Bud, that is over EIGHT HUNDRED smiles you gave out today.  EIGHT HUNDRED hearts lifted!! That's incredible." From the look on his face, you could tell he understood. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time this year.  It was so fun to watch Allison go through all the same emotions I went through last year watching her husband complete a feat that not many can say they have done.  It is a testament to their love to see how they connected at every stop, her heart swelling a little more at each mile.  That kind of pride cannot be explained.  Watching your soul mate break down his body and push harder than he ever has before, mustering up every ounce of fortitude to finish though ever fiber wants to quit.  Then seeing them succeed!! It is amazing.  It was just awesome to be on this side watching their journey. 

I've got to say, something struck me this race that changed something in me as well. It is something BBH and I were discussing on the way home.  How life affirming it is to watch marathoners.  It is just a perfect example of people pushing beyond what anyone ever said they could or should do, pushing beyond what they ever thought they were capable of. It is the ones in the back of the pack... the ones not worried about a time, or qualifying or placing... those guys they are the heart of the sport.  They are the ones that make you want to get on the course yourself.  They are the ones that make you want to be better. The "elite" runners are impressive, don't get me wrong, but they are doing what's expected of them. "Elite" runners run fast, so when you see them doing that, you say, "Well, yeah, they're elite runners." But the eighty year old woman running, or the over weight couple holding hands, the middle aged house wives, THEY are what it's about.

They are the ones that are defying what their roles are. They are the ones that are saying I CAN DO THIS. Their work, sweat, tears are what gives me the chills at the finish line.  They are the ones that keep me running my little 3-4 miles, pushing, trying... inspired.  The ones that sometimes refuse to call themselves "runners," much less marathoners. But, I can tell you this, I saw you guys, every single one of you that I clamped eyes on challenged my heart a little more that day.  Every single one of you proved to me that the human spirit is one of the strongest things on the planet.  It doesn't matter what you weigh, how old you are, what you do, if you have RA... any one of us when we get on the course can call ourselves "runners." And you all were sure that.... and also my heroes. 

So, Mr. Eubanks, this post is for you... thank you for challenging my heart a little more on Sunday.  Proving to me the strength we all possess.  Watching you complete your first marathon was exactly the push I needed to call myself a runner too. Congrats to you! You are a marathoner!!