A New Outlook On The Human Race
October 29, 2009
Nike+ Human Race Quick Links
The alarm went off at 6 a.m. on a cold and wet Chicago morning. October 24th, 2009, It was my birthday and I set out to run a 10k with the world. My route took me to the spot of the Chicago Human Race as planned by Shannon of Runner's High, Ken of DaRevoluchin and myself. When the 100+ runners we had recruited took off, it was a strange feeling. Excitement that I was part of something of this magnitude, but bittersweet as it would soon come to an end.
Everybody has life changing experiences. Whether big or small, there are significant events in every person's life that shape everything from character to well being. My selection as an ambassador for The 2009 Human Race is one of those experiences.
This ambassadorship gave me the motivation to run a marathon. Two weeks before being selected I finished my first half marathon, and when it was over I literally said to myself "I will NEVER, do a marathon". But here am I am 26.2 miles later, possessing one of the proudest moments of my life by completing The Chicago Marathon.
I've developed more meaningful relationships in the past several months, than I would expect to in several years. It's an amazing feeling to not only be referred to as inspirational, but to have people relate to your story and make a connection to it. I've been able to reconnect with people from the past who knew me when I was overweight, and motivate them to create their own story like mine with an "if you can do, so can I" attitude.
It's an empty feeling knowing this experience has come to end, but it's something I will take with me for a long time. I am grateful to everyone who made this experience possible including Nike, My fellow Ambassadors, every runner who took part in The 2009 Human Race, and specifically those who joined up for The PostFontaines. We fought hard, and we ran harder, and for that I thank you!
Everybody has life changing experiences. Whether big or small, there are significant events in every person's life that shape everything from character to well being. My selection as an ambassador for The 2009 Human Race is one of those experiences.
This ambassadorship gave me the motivation to run a marathon. Two weeks before being selected I finished my first half marathon, and when it was over I literally said to myself "I will NEVER, do a marathon". But here am I am 26.2 miles later, possessing one of the proudest moments of my life by completing The Chicago Marathon.
I've developed more meaningful relationships in the past several months, than I would expect to in several years. It's an amazing feeling to not only be referred to as inspirational, but to have people relate to your story and make a connection to it. I've been able to reconnect with people from the past who knew me when I was overweight, and motivate them to create their own story like mine with an "if you can do, so can I" attitude.
It's an empty feeling knowing this experience has come to end, but it's something I will take with me for a long time. I am grateful to everyone who made this experience possible including Nike, My fellow Ambassadors, every runner who took part in The 2009 Human Race, and specifically those who joined up for The PostFontaines. We fought hard, and we ran harder, and for that I thank you!
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