I for one love reading race reports and I will freely admit that I read race reports written by people I do not know about races I have never heard of. Why? Because I love stories of personal triumph. An individual facing personal challenges and rising to the occasion, sometimes physically but almost always emotionally and mentally.As I sit here and try to delineate all of the challenges that surrounded my preparation and participation in this half-marathon I am left with nothing but sheer gratitude for the ability to be out there. For the mere (enormous) blessing of being able to plant one foot in front of the other and remain upright. For the beauty of the cherry blossoms and the tulips. For the kindness of the cheering crowds, strangers handing me cold drinks and my family waving me on. There is no sweeter victory - so if you ask me, I was the winner of the day!
I could list the challenges . . . it would make a waaay better race report, complete with overcoming obstacles like 93 degree heat. But none of that seems to matter. I've had my "Aha moment" - in the beginning of this blog I sarcastically alluded to the privilege of toeing the starting line. I get it now. None of us know how many opportunities we have to be in that place - to have the health, the strength, the means, the support. It is indeed a privilege! And one that I will be careful not to take for granted.
In other news, Camryn is speaking at the JDRF Promise Ball this Saturday at the Hartford Convention Center. Her speech precedes the fund-a-cure auction where bidders will donate funds directly to diabetes research. We'll update with news and pictures from the gala next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment