Inspiration

I volunteered for a few hours this morning at the Pensacola Marathon. What a great experience! I was assigned to the finish line to hand out trail mix packs. The difference in people as they came across the line was interesting. There were those who were exuberant and looked like they had barely run a 5k and then there were those who looked like they had run a few hundred miles. There were smiles and tears and high-fives. Couples crossing the finish line hand in hand and even some mothers running in with their kids.

The first half-marathoner came in around 1:19 I think. He looked fresh as a daisy! He thanked all of us volunteers and then went on to tell one of them (who was instrumental in putting the whole thing together) how great it was, the course was well marked, and the people at the water stops were friendly. It was almost surreal! The first woman came in about three minutes later I think. (My memory is a bit faded, as I wasn't really paying attention. I was too caught up in the excitement.) I saw the first male and female full marathoners come in, too, to much fanfare. There was a guy who was raising money for the wounded warrior project. He raised $13,425. That was $13,100 for the run and $325 for bench-pressing 325# immediately after crossing the finish line. That was a sight to see! I will have to watch the news tonight to see the whole thing.

This was a pretty small marathon as far as marathons go. There were fewer than 2000 participants, but they came from 33 states and three countries (Afghanistan was one of them). The weather was absolutely beautiful. Nothing would have been better, well except if it didn't heat up quite as much as it did. I was inspired to see all those runners giving it everything they had. I know I can do that in January.

There were some dark clouds rolling in a little while ago. I am still planning to do my long run this afternoon. I plan to go to Navy Point Park. I hope it won't be raining. I am in such awe of these athletes. I am so glad that I volunteered.