Tuesday, April 16, 2013

From the Finish Line...

Monument Avenue 10k, Ukrops10K, heart shaped sweat
for those that know...yes, I'm wearing my invisalign trays... hence, the bigger pout and closed smile!

"After some rehydration, people watching and refueling we headed back to the finish line to cheer people through. This was one of the best feelings I've had in a while. I had to turn away a few times. It's that instant you're taken over by emotion. The swell of tears rise from sheer happiness. That was happening, over and over."

What I wrote at the finish line of my 10K on Saturday. 

With my iphone in hand I've decided to type what I'm seeing instead of the normal photo snapping.
The finish line is a place of celebration. It is the home of runners victories. Those that cross it come from all different walks and each made it there with different reasons and goals in mind. No one starts a race to not finish it. These are of the ~40,000 people we joined in the Monument Avenue 10K 2013 race....

Pregnant women literally racing for two somehow gracefully crossing the finish line.
The very overweight, the ones who very well may be pushing the hardest in this crowd.
Husbands and wives holding hands, a strong union, a proud moment of team work.
Kids clapping and smiling without a bead of sweat, running an adult sized race.
The mother - daughter teams making memories.
The father - son teams making memories.
The best friends, the girls in a line spread across the street, hands held high - gitty and cheering.
Outrageous costumes, tutu's and one of kind statement race T's drenched in sweat crossing the line.
Goofballs tied at the ankles, having somehow ran the entire race with only "3 legs".
The runners who clearly didn't think they could ever make 6.2 miles, their faces displaying sheer disbelief and prideful happiness.
The senior citizens with chest pushed forward as they placed their bib first through the line for a time better than last years.
The cancer survivors
The cancer fighters
The ones doing it for those who can't

As I cheered and took in all the faces I couldn't help but want to cry! It's silly to some but for me, I just see power. I see people believing in themselves. I see hard work paying off. I see boosts of confidence. The feeling of watching people succeed is such an awesome feeling, in ways... better than your own successes.
The finish line is where you aim to be at the first step of the race, it's also where you should wrap back to after catching your breathe. The party is there, the volume of cheer is deafening and the rawness of emotion is constantly on display. Always, always be a part of something bigger than you are.

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To imagine the horrific terror on faces of those at the finish line of the Boston Marathon is just something I can't picture. The news breaks the story and fills in the blanks that human minds can't fill. The ones who designed this awful tragedy are far from human in my opinion. They are awful, awful breeds of people. Ones that rip families apart by death, injury and by force of heroism and need to protect and defend. My prayers and thoughts and next run are with those suffering from yesterday.


Regular scheduled post will be back on track tomorrow!
The funnies I had planned to share from the race just didn't seem appropriate in light of yesterdays events....



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Linking with Just Because, Take Time Tuesdays
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25 comments:

Anonymous said...

It’s so horrible :(

I like your recap of the finish line.

Samantha said...

I got goosebumps reading this. I always tear up when I watch the local marathon here for all the reasons you mentioned. What a great feeling of success for those people. It actually makes me *a little* excited for my marathon relay in 5 weeks.

CONGRATULATIONS on your race! Can't wait to hear about the funny moments :)

Unknown said...

Well said, Kristine.

Katie said...

crossing the finish line and watching people cross is such an amazing feeling!

Anonymous said...

Very well put together Kristine! Thanks for linking up

Cereal with Chopsticks said...

Wonderful!

http://cbijicollection.blogspot.ca/

Lindsey said...

Beautiful.

Rachel said...

Amazing..your amazing!

Confessions of a Northern Belle said...

I was at the race yesterday, standing less than 150 yards from the finish line, and it was amazing watching people finish the marathon. The looks of joy on their faces, some streaming with tears, was so moving. However, after the first explosion, the looks on their faces changed drastically. My best friend was 1/2 mile from the finish line when they made her turn around. She had no idea what was happening, only that the race was "over." She had prepared for a year to run this Marathon so I was truly saddened that she didn't finish. However, knowing that she could've been near the explosions is enough for me to say that I am glad she slowed her pace and stayed far from the blast.

Thank you for linking up today.

Laura said...

Beautiful post about the feelings at the end of the race. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the events of yesterday. Should have been beautiful emotions like the end of the race you just finished and people were robbed of that feeling and so much more.

Kaitlyn (Keeping up with Kaitlyn) said...

Beautiful post, Kristine. I can't even imagine.

Jen said...

Very very well said! :)

Heidi said...

Great post. It may not be my running ability that relates to the this terrible tragedy, but in the back of my mind I can't help but think about the races the my BF has coming up and how I'll be the one on the sidelines... too scary to think about

Unknown said...

Very well written. Such a tragic event.

Kate @ Another Clean Slate said...

Congrats on finishing your 10k- I like your perspective... important to have in times like these.

Sybil@PeaceitallTogether said...

I am not a runner, but I could feel the joy in the experience by reading your post today. Gives me a whole new perspective on yesterday's events.

Bri Bliss said...

The finish line is an overwhelmingly positive place. My heart broke for all of those whose celebration was marred by an act of terrorism. I cannot imagine training for any race, let alone Boston, and having my celebration taken a way from me.

Lindsay Erin said...

I have a very similar post today. It's like I had no idea what to say, but I couldn't say nothing all at the same time. Races are the place I feel most connected to God - a spiritual awareness higher than any other place on Earth for me. To imagine this being ripped away like it was at the Boston Marathon brings me to my knees.

Girlfirend Jill said...

Well said! Loved your post!

Melissa said...

Beautiful descriptions, Kristine. Running is such an emotional experience for many. It's just... once you are a runner, it is so much more than running. It's power, joy, and your everything.

I love the way you tied this into your recent 10K experience. Congratulations on it. I'm so glad you're a grateful runner.

Unknown said...

Thank you for linking up!

Janna Renee said...

I can imagine that having just run a marathon on Saturday that this would really affect you! Obviously we are all mourning, but you get a different perspective. As for the race...you go girl! I ran 6 miles straight through for the first time on Saturday, so I guess I was channeling you ;)

Raven said...

loved this post Kristine. Beautifully written. It was sad and horrific, but in the end, the good always wins.

Unknown said...

The thing with running is that no matter your fitness level, either well seasoned or just beginning, you are pushing yourself to perform. So everyone is challenged at whatever capacity they are at. So the victory of a finish is achievement whoever you are.
Love the writing vs the photos... sometimes that is more descriptive.
WTG girl! Congrats on a great race!

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