I am working on a full recap but I’d be remiss if I didn’t devote a little space and time to give a shoutout to the amazing support system that got me through not only the 26.2 miles of the NYC Marathon but also the hundreds of miles logged leading up to that race day. No, this is not just another shameless Imodium AD plug – although I do owe them a thanks as well – this is a testament to the amazing, funny, crazysexycool, gorgeous, inspiring woman that just happens to be my best friend and wife.
Unless you count the night of our Honeymoon when we broke the bed twice, I’ve never really been congratulated for my physical prowess. I started running about year ago and famously ended my first race getting popped in the chops by a fence while face planting into the pavement with a bloody nose and then getting trampled like Mufasa did by the wildebeasts in The Lion King from the rest of the runners. Talk about a sign to not take up running – those were obvious red flags that I ignored.
I’m a Klutz through and through, so when I took up running, you can just imagine my wife’s concern. After all, I’m the guy that broke the same ankle two years in a row on the same day, sprained ligaments in the other ankle last year because I didn’t have my glasses on and walked into the bathroom door, fell face first into a brick wall and recently got a black eye when I tripped while chasing my son in our kitchen and fell into the garbage can face first. Basically there’s not a single speck of coordination running through my body but she’s been nothing but encouraging. And this is from my wife who had never heard of me running in my life except for the time I went for a run in Hyde Park while studying abroad in London and got so winded that I got an ice cream cone and took a cab back home – not the tell-tale signs of the track star I’d turn into.
Through every run – long and short – she’s been a constant source of positive encouragement and believed in me fully without question when I cooked up this NYC Marathon pipe dream. Whereas I didn’t fully think I could do this until about nineteen miles into the Marathon on race day – she was always my loudest cheerleader. I struggled and doubted while she massaged sore feet and applied the icy hot…Each and every mile became possible because she believed in me and that was contagious.
I’m not sure if you know how many people come out and line the streets for the NYC Marathon, but out of those two million people – there was no bigger smile or louder cheer to be found than hers at mile 18 & mile 23. As I made my up to mile 18, I glanced up and there they were – my wife, my two sons and my mother-in-law – with huge smiles and tearing eyes like an oasis in the desert. Shouting, screaming, waving a big orange balloon and beaming with pride – there they were. A big hug, a quick kiss, a fast photo and they made me feel ready to conquer anything.
As I darted away, knowing I’d see them again in five more miles I started to wonder why I hadn’t believed in myself when they so overwhelmingly and unequivocally believed in me. Why was I the only one who didn’t think I could do it? Their excitement was contagious and the proud looks in their eyes carried me through. I never cared about the timing – just that I could finish the marathon and have fun with it, and after seeing them there was no doubt that I could and would make it through.
As I arrived at mile 23 – there they were again screaming and even more excited than the first time. Kisses, hugs and smiles all around and then I headed off again to finish. They navigated the crazy, busy, crowded streets and subway system with a two and a four year old in order to see me in two different spots to encourage me along the way when they knew I’d need it and never once complained or thought about anything but how happy they were for me. They gave me the encouragement and the strength to finish strong and to believe in myself as much as they did.
I know that it might sound like the start of a joke to say I looked up and saw my mother-in-law’s face in the crowd, but she’s my Boo and they was such a sight for sore eyes. There she was – standing with my older son while my wife wore his brother like they were in Dagobah – he was Yoda and she was the young Jedi in training Luke Skywalker…At that exact moment there was no better sight that I could see then the four of them right there on the street! Granted, the last time I wrote about my mother-in-law it was about inappropriate movies and stuff so hopefully, this post is a little tamer…
This is a different type of post than I usually write, but I didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity to thank them for pushing and encouraging me. They’ll never know what their smiles, cheers and laughter did for me. I think of how much my wife sacrificed over the past few months to encourage me and my crazy pipe dream while I ran like a madman training run after training run, day after day, night after night…I certainly couldn’t have gotten through it without her encouragement, support and love. Here’s to you honey – I love you!
A fun read…and a great accomplishment! Thank you for following me at Triggershorse. – Fawn
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Glad to connect and glad you like it…
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Impressive! I ran a marathon. Mostly. And thanks for subscribing. As it stands right now, I have an ancient bottle of immodium hanging out in our downstairs medicine cabinet. Because, you never know 😉
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Glad to connect and congrats to you as well. Glad he’s keeping it just in case…u never know…
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Good on you! Finishing a marathon is a real achievement you should be proud!
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Thank you. I a proud and it was just such a great da. I didn’t expect it to be as much fun as it was and I know that sounds crazy. I had such a blast and can’t wait til the next one!
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Congratulations!! you deserve it
Thank you for subscribing to my site. Eddie
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Nice to connect buddy!
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Congratulations!! What an achievement, and what a lovely, lovely family to be surrounded by.
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Thank you. I tell them how lucky they are all the time to have me, but it usually just gets a couple of eye rolls…
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What a beautiful post! Thank you for being the loving and supportive husband and Daddy that you are. You know you are a son to me and I’m so very proud of this amazing accomplishment that you’ve made. If you can do this, you can achieve so much more. Keep reaching and striving. I’ll always be there supporting and cheering you on ( and reminding you to stretch when you finish). Love you lots!!
xoxoxo
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Hey, I think we have a new “super-photogenic running guy”. Well done! Now make your wife breakfast in bed this weekend…and don’t hurt yourself.
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True dat! I’ve some making up for lost time to do….
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Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment!
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Thanks. It was such a crazy adventure
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Congratulations. Quite an accomplishment.
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Thank you sir!!!
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Well done for finishing the NYC Marathon – what an amazing achievement 🙂 And lots of hugs to your incredible wife and family too 🙂 Very inspirational indeed :-))) Willow x
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Thank you. Big smiles abound
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Congrats to you (you look amazing I must say) – a great achievement and a nice tribute to Abbey.
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Thank you – If the amount of sweat I was expelling was any indication – I was the hottest guy at the marathon 🙂
She’s amazing!
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Great job so proud of you ❤
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Thanks sweetie!
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It’s very nice to see an appreciative husband! Well done — for appreciating her and for running the marathon!
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Thank you
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Bravo! Glad you could do it and even happier you have a wonderful support system! That’s fantabulous 🙂
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Thank you. She’s amazing…
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Best post ever! Nicely done! Inspiring.
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Thank you sir!!!
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Just participating in the NFC is awesome, but finishing is pure crazy talk… Read above for proof. Great Achievement! Congrats!
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Thank s buddy!
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