My friend Scott, who ran Thunder Road Marathon with me, sent me this video. (Update: It was also in the email sent by Thunder Road, so if you ran the race, you’ve seen it.) I’ve watched it 3 times already and with tears in my eyes the whole time. I want to share it with you so you can see all the greatness of that day – the atmosphere, the crazy NASCAR start line, the crowd support – look at the bands, the clown, the mascots, the signs, the cheers …
I thought at the end of the marathon I’d be so happy that it was over. I would have checked off a box that hadn’t been checked. That the race itself would be terrible and painful and horrible – but at the end I’d just be glad it was over. That couldn’t be further from the truth – I just want to be back out on that race course, running and experiencing it and seeing the crowds and the smiles and the signs … I can’t wait to do another one. I can’t wait.
And ok, for one more round of bragging rights, I just have to show this off (and then I’m done – I promise!):
Comments
17 responses to “It’s only missing ‘smile if you need a spanking’ guy …”
Nice job! They have pretty narrow age divisions, huh? Weird. Cool video too, very inspirational. Can’t wait to run it next year.
.-= Chris´s last blog ..Usabilty means living up to users’ expectations =-.
That was a great video! Would have only been better if you had been in it. 🙂
Congrats again, Melissa. You rock beyond the telling of it.
.-= Elwood´s last blog ..Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude =-.
Kinda funny they only show a few full marathon peeps. Their contorted and painful faces probably didn’t go with the inspirational song of the video, haha. You were smilin’ though, they shoulda put you in there somewhere.
.-= Chris´s last blog ..MapQuest vs Google: A comparison =-.
I think you have inspired me to try that run next year! Maybe we could do it together 🙂
.-= Staci´s last blog ..How Fast Could I Get? =-.
I think you have inspired me to try that run next year! Maybe we could do it together 🙂
.-= Staci´s last blog ..How Fast Could I Get? =-.
Awesome video… Thanks for sharing!! And congrats again. Such a huge accomplishment. We’re all so proud of you!!!
.-= Whitney´s last blog ..Air Travel with a Violin: Part 3 =-.
I am soooo gonna start running in the new year! 🙂
.-= urbanvox´s last blog ..Operation Xmas Tree =-.
That’s a great video! I teared up at the part with the Girls on the Run — I didn’t realize that was a widespread program. some folks we know through Bo and Nikki have an 8 year-old daughter who did her first 5k with that program here in town two weekends ago. So cool to see all the smiles and obvious feelings of accomplishments. LOVE IT. And I am glad you got to be a part of it all!
That’s a great video! I teared up at the part with the Girls on the Run — I didn’t realize that was a widespread program. some folks we know through Bo and Nikki have an 8 year-old daughter who did her first 5k with that program here in town two weekends ago. So cool to see all the smiles and obvious feelings of accomplishments. LOVE IT. And I am glad you got to be a part of it all!
@Chris – I think the age divisons are the same for all races – I guess there were only 77 women of my age range that happened to run! My goal for next year will be to beat a few more of them!
@Elwood – I looked for myself in the crowd shots at the start line but a lot of people wore pink, apparently. Next year I’ll consider a bolder outfit!
@Staci – do it! Chris and I will be there for sure! We’ll have a post-marathon party! That training program I put on your blog for the half would be a good one to look at for the full – his novice program is very doable. Training starts in August for TR.
@Whitney – thanks so much for the congrats and the pride!
@Chris – I think the age divisons are the same for all races – I guess there were only 77 women of my age range that happened to run! My goal for next year will be to beat a few more of them!
@Elwood – I looked for myself in the crowd shots at the start line but a lot of people wore pink, apparently. Next year I’ll consider a bolder outfit!
@Staci – do it! Chris and I will be there for sure! We’ll have a post-marathon party! That training program I put on your blog for the half would be a good one to look at for the full – his novice program is very doable. Training starts in August for TR.
@Whitney – thanks so much for the congrats and the pride!
@urbanvox – You will not regret it. If you’re a beginner runner, check out the Couch to 5K podcast. Also, check out http://www.justkev.in and http://www.sabennett.com/wp — they both started running through C25K. Kevin completed the marathon with me after a year of running! Amy is still doing C25K.
@Jessica – I think GOTR is nationwide. It’s an amazing program, from what I hear. Good point to mention – there was a 5K that day and a half-marathon too, which is why there’s such a big difference in the clock times at the end.
To everyone – thanks again for all the support! I couldn’t do it without you all encouraging me! Plus, if I stop running you’d never let me hear the end of it – I gotta keep going now!
You go, Melissa. My hat is off to you. Unfortunately Sony Music and Youtube won’t let me see that video from here in Germany. But hey, I’m sure it’s good! 🙂
Great video. I had not seen it yet! Where did you get the actual certificate?
Great video. I had not seen it yet! Where did you get the actual certificate?
@Christine – here are the certificates:
http://69.206.239.237/ThunderRoad/index.html
Enjoy!
@Wayne – thanks for reading – sorry you can’t see the video!
@Christine – here are the certificates:
http://69.206.239.237/ThunderRoad/index.html
Enjoy!
@Wayne – thanks for reading – sorry you can’t see the video!