Leigh left you last at the finish line of his 50K journey, but there is still so much to tell you about that day. We want to give you the nitty gritty details, because we really do hope to put together a couple of teams for next years race. So to ease me back into blog writing, and because I only have until the boys are done watching Epic before little people start asking me for things I am going to share some of the things we LOVED about this experience as a list, because lists are easier (and faster) then (cohesive) paragraphs...
WHY YOU SHOULD RUN THE SEARS GREAT CANADIAN RUN IN 2014
1) Setting and accomplishing a goal with someone who is important to you is a REALLY good way to strengthen your relationship. We set out to do something together that seemed insurmountable at times. We spent months training, sometimes running together, a lot of times not. Sometimes one would struggle, while the other didn't, sometimes we both felt great, sometimes we both struggled. In the end we were both fully invested in the same goal, in the end, as a team we realized our goal. The things we learned through this process serve us well in our marriage. We have become more understanding of each other, more aware of each other's needs, and we have a new awareness of the strength of our relationship, and our ability to accomplish anything together. So if you want to strengthen a relationship with someone you care about, set a goal, and chip away at it together. You won't be sorry.
2) The race organizers got game. We have run several different races, both large races and small local races. As runners we LOOOVE a well organized race. The folks that organize the Sears Great Canadian Run know what they are doing. An event of this
magnitude requires a huge amount of behind the scenes work. From our perspective as participants it was executed flawlessly.
3) Being a part of something bigger then you brings perspective. Running is a pretty selfish thing. It give ME time to myself, it lets ME think and reflect, it lets ME feel good about accomplishing goals, it lets ME eat ice cream sometimes. Sure it makes me a better and more patient wife and mother, but it really is my ME time and my passion. This race was not about me. This race was about showing gratitude, about giving back, about giving hope. When we think about the needs of others, we realize how much we are capable of giving.
4) The post-race food was amazing! From the time the first teams started arriving at the finish area there was a barbecue going on. The super speedy teams didn't have to wait hours for some grub to fill the post-race void. They could hit up the barbecue and hang out while other teams arrived. In the evening there was a buffet style meal with pasta, salad, veggies, bread, dessert, and drinks. After a long run (and this was the longest of long runs I have ever done) I love a good satisfying meal. This hit the spot. I can tell you for certain that this was the best post-race food I have ever had at a race. And what was even more awesome was that everyone was invited, not only participants. We were able to celebrate and enjoy a meal with so many people who had come out to support us.
5) The speakers and events at the post-race banquet were inspiring. From learning about the amazing accomplishments of the top fundraising teams, to hearing directly from a family who like us, had benefitted from amazing paediatric care at Sick Kids, to the woman who cut off and donated her long ponytail, the evening culminated in an inspiring way.
6) Making connections with people changes your life. Everyone has a story, everyone has joys, and struggles, and fears. Being a part of this event gave us the chance to make connections with so many different people, to hear so many stories, to appreciate and be appreciated, to hear of sorrows and successes. It has made us grateful for all that we have, and opened our minds and our hearts to the struggles of others. We can learn so much from the experiences of others
and last but not least...
7) Running is awesome, and all the cool kids are doing it.
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