Well...I thought today I would blog about Valentine's Day. I was going write about trying to break up with Costochondritis who, stubborn SOB, does not want to break up with me. No matter how much weight I gain, how rude and moody I get, he will not leave me. Gag.
However, I'm going a different direction. =) I don't do much as far as getting out of town since it's painful, but I had to be there for this. Today, I had the honor of watching my brother, and my beautiful sister-n-law finish a marathon. It. Was. Awesome. We got up really early and met them at different parts of the course- after we cheered them on, we would run to find our car and scramble to get to the next mile marker before they did...and I loved every minute of it. I even yelled. A lot. Did it hurt? Yup. Did I do it anyway? Yup. Because today, as far as I was concerned, I was not a girl with a life changing condition, I was just a sister who was REALLY excited to cheer on her family.
So today, on this stunningly beautiful Valentine's Day, I refused to pay attention to the blood sucking Valentine that doesn't seem to get the phrase, "ummmm, this isn't working out for me."
It's hard not to watch a grueling and powerful event, like a marathon, and not relate it to life. You knew I was headed this way. -) So as the sun beat down on us and I watched these exhausted, strong runners at mile 23, I began to think about the journey I've been on. That we've all been on. I began to think about the different turns, the different temperatures, and the hills, the downhills, the weather, and the strength and pace it takes to finish a marathon. The whole motto of "give it what you got, and then give it what you don't got" rings so true.
And what about the people on the side holding up signs and cheering for us?! It was so wild to watch the different reactions today while I was on the sidelines. Some runners paid no attention to our cheers. Most likely they were in a stretch of their journey where they needed to dig deep, stay on course, and couldn't relate to those around them. And I totally respected that.
Some people offered smiles at my crazy chants. Mostly likely they were in a place where they couldn't verbally relate to us, but they could acknowledge us, and in their own way, show th
at they appreciated the support. Which selfishly made me feel good and consequently, I would crazy cheer some more.
And then there were the people who would laugh, chant back, and hoot and holler with us. Even though they were spent, they fed off our energy and cheered right back. Obviously, I loved those people because they loved us. lol. Typical human behavior.
But there was one more group. The group who were not in a zone, who were not smiling, who were not laughing...but struggling with every fiber of their being to put one foot in front of the other. This group, I needed to encourage and ask nothing in return. But they knew we were there. I knew this. And at different points in our journey, we can all relate to this group.
And at mile 22, this one runner ran off the course, grabbed his water at a H2O stop, started laughing and yelled," THIS SUCKS!" This was a highlight for me. I could not stop laughing. And he kept laughing with me. And then he got on with it. And finished the race.
Another highlight was when at mile 23, I got to see my brother running like a champ, and then my sister-n-law running like a rock star. I was so excited to see them, knowing they were both was so close to finishing their goal. Then my brothers friend and my hubby jumped in the race with him to finish the last 3 miles. I won't lie, I was jealous that I couldn't run with him. But you know, this race wasn't about me, it was about them. And my brother was not alone in the hardest part of the race. I had a lot of comfort and peace about that. He had support on each side. This sight was so powerful to me. And my sister-n-law had a friend running the last 7 miles with her. Super cool friend. And by the way, she ROCKED it! It was SO cool be there to watch her run this beast of a marathon. I loved cheering her on. She's amazing.
But then came the rough part. My brother started to pass out the last mile and a half- the dude had been TRUCKING! And he'd only had 1 goo (the nasty food that marathon runners eat- you are suppose to eat at least 3-4). So when he and my hubby finished, my brother passed out at the finish line and woke up in the Medical tent with an IV in his arm and a thermometer in his booty. =) It really scared me, but he's okay. An hour and a half later he had his marathon medal around his neck and a smile on that handsome face. They made it. They did it. They finished.
I think the hardest thing about the invisible illness marathon is that you don't always know where the finish line is. And when did the starting gun go off?! I didn't have my proper running shoes and attire on! Nor did I get the map, the schedule, the t-shirt, or the website. And I was like dressed in formal attire and spiked heels when I heard the loud "pop," go off and whoosh- there I went!....and then at mile 2, I was like "Whaaaaaaat in the world?" Anyone else?
So what do you do when you find yourself in a race you didn't sign up for? ....well, I'm still learning. All I have so far is: kick off your heals, let your feet toughen, hike up your dress, pace yourself, pray to get from mile to mile, and from time to time, look up and smile at those cheering you on. Receive it. Unless it's a doctor who is throwing sedatives at you like party favors and boots you out of his office like a sling shot covered in, "I have no clue, I wish you luck, that will be $700." Then just stick out your foot and trip him.
So wherever you are on your journey: The starting line, half way, in the rain, drained by the heat, on rough terrain, coasting, your blistering feet don't want to walk any more. Or maybe you're battling grueling miles that seem never ending and you can't lift your head up and talk to anyone. No matter where you are, I leave you with this cheer:
Give it what you have and then give it what you don't,
Keep walking and stepping, if jog, your muscles won't
And know that you can pull off this rough trail of muck,
And laugh, and cry and scream and yell, "This really really sucks!"
Then keep a moving!!
So this is me, on the sideline of your journey, cheering you on.
Woo- HOo!!!! KEEP GOING!!!!!!!!!! You Got this!!!!!
gasp...oops...watch the curb....that had to hurt.
