The Marathon Cheer Squad

"26.2 miles of self-inflicted pain" the girls kept telling me. "Why do we do this again?!?"

The day had finally come. September 12th marked yet another marathon my three friends had completed. "Chalked up as learning experience" they had said as they laugh about the organized chaos they endured that particular day.

I don't know how these amazing women finished...let alone continued this treacherous journey that started in the wee morning hours. They had to be loaded in the buses headed for Provo Canyon at 5:30 am. I would hate to guess what time they awoke to prepare for the trail that would test each of their strengths and will power!

Unsure of what the competition was going to be like and nervous of a few nagging injuries all three girls pursued their goal to reach that finish line.

What a scenic journey, however, I'm not sure my legs could carry me for that egregious amount of time!

Jackie, my sweet Beehive friend and I went to cheer on her mom, Jill, and the others at the 19- mile mark where we acted as the race coordinators. Unfortunately, the volunteer at the water station didn't even know the course to direct the racers! We had lost one of the very first runners who went the wrong way at the 19-mile mark, but ended up saving all of the others the trouble of backtracking a couple of miles--as if 26 miles wasn't hard enough!

There was NO ONE--and I mean, NO ONE at the race cheering the racers on. I couldn't believe it! I wouldn't have the mind --or heart strong enough to run even half that distance without spectators cheering me on!

We were the only cheerleaders for that ENTIRE 19-mile stretch! So, with our banners in hand, colorfully saying, "Just keep running!" and "CAN" in big bold letters. We danced and screamed for the racers that passed by, eagerly wishing our energy could be contagious at that very moment to help lift the competitors as they began their final 7-mile stretch.

What a lesson in placing mind-over-matter and pushing through 3 hours of non-stop negative self talk! YUCK!

Seeing familiar faces cross our way brought tears to my eyes as they came closer and offered each of us a sweaty hug. Just knowing how far they had come and what a miracle it was they were still standing in front of me. They were bearing the biggest grins as they continued down their marked path.

What amazing determination, will power, motivation and edge these women have! They have taught me so much about persistence, devotion, strength, and the power present in a positive attitude. I am determined to complete one within the next year! A goal not aimed for time, but to find my absolute threshold--then push a little further in order to help me better master myself. After all, I am in control of my mind and my body--my thoughts and my actions.

I can choose my attitude. I choose what I can do!