More than just running

Today was race day in Sydney, with multiple races happening, including half and full marathons. Having not trained, or realized the event was happening until recently, I recruited Paul to spectate with me! It was a great way to spend the morning. Not only were the views spectacular - the race crossed the bridge, ran around the harbour and finished at the Opera House - but with a $10,000 first prize, there were some world class athletes competing. Yes, watching the race made me want to work harder and run faster! But, more than that, being a spectator was inspirational because of all the moments I witnessed. People working their butts off (!) to finish their first race, husbands and wives crossing the

 finish line hand-in-hand, children cheering on mom or dad (including one little boy hilariously terrified of seagulls). Never mind the moments that remind you what sportsmanship is all about: the elite wheelchair marathoner, who 100 metres from winning the race, stopped to encourage another wheelchair athlete likely finishing her first half marathon; and the brothers racing together, one from his wheelchair, the other pushing.

By the time we went home I felt that race day seemed to have little to do with running. Jenn