Grateful to have run the Indy Mini Marathon this month.

Hitting Me

The day of the race, I had a lot of thoughts and excitment. Since it had been 7 years since I ran my first and only half marathon, I thought what if I hadn’t trained enough?

One Hundred And Ten

I met a lady before starting on her 110th run (later found out she placed 10th in her age bracket). She said something that helped me. “Pace yourself and don’t worry about anyone else, run your race.”

Timing Is Everything

In life it can be easy to look around just like in a run and compare where we think we should be at a certain time. From social media, to the moments we see other’s lives, it’s easy to look around. However we should only focus on where we need to be at this time. 

You Got This

During the race so many times I would hear someone say “I am not going to make it.” I would reply back, “you got this,” partly to them and partly to myself.

Bleach

Midway, I threw away my old (maybe with a few bleach spots on one arm) fuscia sweatshirt. I needed to get rid of anything extra to lighten myself.

Gold Star

Shortly after passing a memorial to honor Gold Star families that was beautifully put together, I felt pain in my right leg. Although I never felt winded, I had to slow my pace. 

Heart

At that point, my mind was screaming quit but my heart was screaming louder keep going – “run your race.” 

A Stranger

A stranger on the sideline cheering people on somewhere near the last few miles of the race looked at me. Then looking down at my name tag the random person said, “I see you Grace, and I see you finishing strong.”

Pointing

Those words helped me on the last stretch run with a lady. She and I laughed and talked through the pain.

Strength

Nearing the finish line, she pointed up for her 1st race. 13.1 miles of running later, I pointed up, symbolizing the strength I felt inwardly and outwardly from above to run that race to the finish line.

Keep Going

Today, I hope that the extra things holding you back are removed (sometimes even unseen to the natural eye). I hope that you know that I am pulling for you and if you keep going I see you finishing strong in the unique areas (even if that is not running) that you are supposed to. 

Your Race

Finally, in the words of one wise lady, I hope you, “run your race at your pace,” without comparison to anyone else’s race. Your unique timeframe to get where you are supposed to be in life will come, if you don’t give up.