Thumbs Up
Originally uploaded by kyleroth.

2:12:10. That’s how long it took me to run the half marathon, but that’s not important. My life changed yesterday. Six months ago I decided to train for the Cleveland marathon and raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I had no idea what that really meant. I ran in the rain, wind, ice and ridiculous amounts of snow. I woke up at 5:00, after nursing a baby every two hours during the night, in order to run. I watched as my legs and self-confidence grew stronger and stronger. I started out running for 30 minutes and I finished running 13.1 miles. I made lifelong friends. I raised over $2,300. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I had to cut back on the mileage. I had to settle for running the half marathon when my heart was set on running the full. I thought that I would miss out on the experience…boy, was I wrong.

I ran the first 12 miles of the marathon with my team, my friends, and my dad. It took about 3 miles to settle in and once I did the miles seemed to fly by. Seeing Jen’s husband at mile 1, Julie’s husband and sons at mile 3, Rachel’s friends, family and coworkers throughout the course, and my own personal cheering section (complete with noisemakers, signs and personalized t-shirts) at mile 10 was so uplifting. I got to kiss both of my children and tell my mother-in-law that this was for her. I made sure I took in the crowds of cheering spectators, the scenery on the course, the random music playing. I ran ahead of the group a little bit before the half marathon turn-off at mile 12 because I didn’t want to say good-bye. I wanted so badly to keep running with them. I could feel the tears well up as I turned the corner away from the full marathon course, but I swallowed them down and decided to make a strong finish. My mentor, Andrea, and my coach, Rob, were there with me. They wanted to take me to the line, and I was honored to have them with me. I gave that last mile all I had. I kept thinking of the battle that Cindy fought and when I came up to the cheering crowds at the finish I couldn’t stop the tears. All the months of training became a reality and I was ready for my reward. I was greeted at the end by my mom, Cindy, Liv, Kade, Kyle, father-in-law, Uncle Doug, Marcie, our friend, Brian, and some beautiful flowers. Kade proudly wore my medal and when he asked me why I was crying, I told him it was because mommy did it and she’s happy…very happy.

Kyle took the crew to get something to eat and I watched as my friend and weekly running partner came upon the last mile of the marathon. I had the chance to cheer her on to her Boston qualifying finish (Yay Sarah!). Another one of my friends had been having knee pain for the last two weeks and was afraid she wouldn’t finish the marathon. I ran the first half with her and I knew that she was hurting, so after watching Sarah fly past I hurried down to cheer her on at mile 23. The excitement would build every time I saw a purple shirt in the distance. I got to cheer for many of my teammates and friends. I saw Albert, John, Jan, Coach Annie, Randy and then Julie. I didn’t see her coming. She saw me first and yelled out my name. I ran to her, ready to take her to the finish. I could see her pain, but I knew her determination would win out. I ran the last 3 miles of the marathon next to her. It was a privilege to experience the crowds yelling her name, the anticipation of the finish, the realization that she just ran 26.2 miles…all of that was hers, and I got to be a part of it. I had the opportunity to watch her cross the finish line…embrace her sons…take in the moment…it was beautiful.

Everything happens for a reason. If I hadn’t run the half, I wouldn’t have seen Sarah before her big finish. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to tell all the runners in purple shirts just how great they are. And I would have missed out on the chance to help a friend achieve a life goal.

My finish meant something, but watching my friends finish meant even more. I know what they went through to get to that point. I know how hard they trained. I know how much they sacrificed. I know what this cause meant to them. I know how much they wanted this, and they did it…each and every one of them crossed that line. I am so proud and so honored to have been there to see it.