"Mom, don't be sad that you can't run. It's OK to take a break sometimes."
This weekend, I did something I haven't done since I became a runner: I was a spectator. Thanks to the stress fracture in my fourth metatarsal and the lovely Frankenshoe, I've got at least 10 days (but who's counting) until I can even think about running.
The past few weeks without running has made me realize a few things. One, I've been pushing myself too much, not listening to my body and not running my own race. No matter how I felt or what hurt, I ran. I wasn't letting myself recover after long runs and I didn't take time off after my fall marathon. So basically, I have myself to thank for this. Lesson learned.
I prepared myself to cheer on my friends at the Rock & Roll Half in Dallas and I let myself feel sad & disappointed. But I quickly let let it go. Wallowing in self-pity would do no good and it's not my style. I had a cow bell to ring, a sign to hold and encouragement to give--to my running buddies and complete strangers.
While I stood in various points along the 13.1 mile route, I scanned the crowd for faces of my friends and found myself watching those I didn't know. I wondered about their running story: Was it their first half? Their 20th? Was the smile on their face real or were they struggling? Why did they become a runner? Are they doing something they never thought they'd do?
Even though I had no other choice, I was exactly where I needed to be on Sunday...cheering, encouraging, offering hugs & "you can do it" because that's what my friends needed. And it's what I needed too. While I was there to encourage them, they ultimately encouraged me. I experienced the sport I love from a new vantage point and it reminded me why I run.
Around mile 9, I stood holding my sign as a woman ran past & pointed at my boot. "Next race, you'll be back stronger than before."
Yes I will.
(About the photo above: This was the sign we held. It elicited tons of laughs. Mark and I decided if there was a contest for best sign a the Rock & Roll Half, we would have won.)
