happy chicago marathon day...

Dear Jay has run in the Chicago Marathon multiple times
and he finished well before Sarah,  but he came back to see
her at the finish line.  Such a sweet man and good friend!

This happy running day happened two years ago and the memory still brings tears to my eyes. These committed runners change their lives for months to train for race day and what they accomplish is nothing less than amazing.

When Sarah ran the 2009 Chicago Marathon, Brian and I set out for the city in the morning. Chris walked with us or rather led us from miler marker to mile marker (we only saw her once) to cheer Sarah on and Matt, who was also there, was not only more succussful but somewhat amazing. Equipped with a backpack filled with water and energy bars, a marked route and music to accompany him as he traveled, he hustled from mark to mark to find Sarah. I did not see them at the last meeting place, but Sarah later shared she spotted Matt waving in his orange sweat shirt and she was really happy to see him as I think it was around mile marker 20.  He gave Sarah an energy bar, told her she could it and she saw tears in his eyes when he hug her and she raced on!  At the finish line, as we struggled to make our way near the fence so Sarah could see us and we could see her as she finished, guess who got inside to stand on the bleachers? Yep, he did it again!  Matt was there on the bleachers with the perfect view clapping and cheerings as Sarah crossed the finish line.

This Sunday is a proud day for thousands of runners who at this moment, at 7:10 in the morning, are getting ready to begin a race that will change their life as it will be different tomorrow because of their accomplishment today.  It is a day of smiles and tears and applause and cheers.  Hearts will be filled with happiness and love and hugs will be abundant!

Run hard runners!  We know you can do it and we are proud of you!