This morning I ran the Wabash Valley Half Marathon. I planned to use this race more as a training run (with a medal!) and I went into it not intending to race, PR or place. That being said, I also have expectations for myself when I run and when things don’t go the way I expect, I can loose perspective.
About three miles into the race, I found myself running at the same pace as Molly, a fellow runner who also races the local club events. She introduced herself to me and we started talking. We ended up talking the entire time … about our lives, shared experiences, family, running journeys … it even turns out her son was one of my first students at Saint Mary’s! We laughed at the fact that we were often “rivals” in these local races, always finishing right before or after each.
This race was a real struggle for me (felt like I would throw up for most of it). But Molly and I pushed each other along, ran/walked the entire thing together and crossed the finish line at the same time.
I don’t believe there are coincidences in life. And I think today, this race was about more than running. Or, I should say, the running was a conduit for a bigger lesson and experience.