Marathon Sunday

Wishing all of the runners in tomorrow's NYC marathon a fantastic race, strength throughout & making it across that finish line!  I was so blessed to run NYC's last marathon in 2011 & I personally did it in memory of the victims of 9/11 & it also coincided with the tenth anniversary.  My beloved city was brought to its knees on 9/11 & I'll never forget the outpouring of love, strength & support that we all offered one another.  I have loved NYC since I was a young girl but running 26.2 miles of its streets & bridges tattooed it on my heart & made me realize that the glamorous buildings can be gone in the blink of an eye but the people & their passion are what make New York City the greatest city in the world.    

When I was a few miles from the finish I felt a hand on my right shoulder...I turned to look & a fellow runner, a girl about my age, said to me, "I lost my mom on 9/11, I'm sorry for your loss."  Before I could get anything out, what could I possibly even say, thank God I hadn't lost anyone I knew, she was gone.  I had the chills from head to toe & hoped that she knew that in my own small way I was running for her & her mom...

Do you know what I love most about running?  Like music, it doesn't discriminate (& I love nothing more than popping in my headphones when I run).  It's universal, it knows no color, race, age, physical attractiveness, disability or socioeconomic class.  You're all in it together supporting each other every step of the way- I ran the marathon with people that were blind, in wheelchairs, missing limbs & those with mental wounds, illnesses & broken hearts that can't be seen.

I thought to myself...Why does it take a marathon to have an entire city cheering for you & your success?  What if we supported each other that way every day?  Can you imagine hopping on a subway car in the morning & everyone busts out, "GOOO Colleen!!!  You're looking strong & amazing!!!  You're gonna kill it in that client meeting today!!"  How fun would that be?

As we cheer on the runners tomorrow let's all remember to carry that supportive spirit with us & be sure to cheer each other on every day.  As my friend Eckhart says, it really is the small, everyday things that lead to greatness.

Made it!!!

photos: me