Marathons…I love them. The adrenaline and excitement, I can’t get
enough. One day I will actually run in
one, but until now, I've only been a spectator (wink). A few years ago, I had the opportunity to
volunteer at a couple of nationally known marathons. I was that person standing on the sidelines
handing out the water to keep the runners hydrated. Little did I know that this experience would
come with many lessons.
My post was at the last
water station before the finish line.
Needless to say, it was a long time before anyone turned the curve and
dashed by me. The small group of people ran by me and didn't even look my way. Clearly, these were the
experienced runners; the ones with the first prize on their minds. They didn't even think of slowing down for
water, let alone taking their eyes off the road to acknowledge me with a
nod. They wanted the prize and nothing
was going to get in their way.
After the “winners group”
there was a break. No runners. Is it
over already? I thought. That couldn't be it of the marathon. Then someone yelled, “Here we go people…get
ready!” Before I could grab the cups of
water, a herd of runners turned the corner.
One after another grabbed cups of water out of my hands, barely slowing
down. Some poured water on their heads
and others drank, but all kept their eyes ahead. Within
minutes, a couple hundred runners flashed by leaving nothing but dust and
crushed paper cups on the ground. A few
more runners came here and there but nothing like the stampede before.
As the final group came, I
could instantly tell that these runners were different. Many slowed down to complete stop to catch their
breath and hydrate themselves. Then,
something that I didn’t expect, they spoke to me. “Can
you tell me how much farther?”
In our training earlier that
morning we were told never to answer that question if asked. “You’re doing great! Keep going,” I answered
enthusiastically. As if my words were
seasoned with energy the runners were motivated to keep going and finish the
race.
I was amazed how the last group
of people were so different from the first.
So many of them slowed down looking defeated and discouraged, all
asking, “How much farther?” As more
walked by (yes, many were walking by this time) I heard the whining, “What was
I thinking? I can’t do t his. It’s too far”. After all of the training and preparing these
runners did before the marathon day, was this how it was going to end?
After watching this for a
few minutes, I couldn't take it anymore.
I started to applaud the walkers and shout “You can do it. Let’s go…you can do it!” Other volunteers started clapping too and
joined me with the motivating words.
The walkers turned in to joggers and soon the joggers became runners. Minutes later the last runner came by and
everyone was clapping and cheering, she didn't have a chance to get
discouraged. It was exhilarating.
Who is standing on the
sidelines of your life? Are they
cheering you on? Are they encouraging
you and motivating you when you need it?
Some of us can relate to the first group of runners, focused on the
prize. Do you have people in place that
won’t stand in the way of your dreams?
Some can relate to the next group who is determined and keeps running
while they grab water. They know where
they are going but need a little something to keep them from being defeated and
deflated. Others can relate to the last
group. So lost in their own negativity
and complaining, they can’t hear the positivity around them. Who is standing on the sidelines for
you?
Think about the race you are
running in your life and what your goal is.
How are you doing so far? Comment
below or email me directly at info@mendingmaria.com
and share your thoughts.
Next week I will share another
marathon experience with you in part two of this story.
Mending Maria
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