This story started months ago. My daughter had several friends from church running a half marathon in Maine in May. She decided she wanted to try it, despite never running in her life!
My sister, who ran a couple of half marathons in her 20s, decided she wanted to do it with my daughter.
My daughter-in-law, who is a strength and conditioning coach and has run several half marathons herself, wrote them a training plan as well as consulted on nutrition during workouts and race day.
But then the most amazing thing happened a few months ago—my daughter invited me to come cheer them on! Of course, I knew my daughter-in-law wanted to be there, too, so thanks to Jeff’s massive bank of airline miles, we formed the cheer squad and booked the trip!
Elizabeth (my daughter) picked us up at the Boston airport and we headed off to a small town in Maine.
Race day—Saturday morning, was cool but not cold. And after about two minute of spitting rain at the start, the day cleared and was absolutely gorgeous! Bailei (my daughter-in-law) and I traveled to different points along the route to cheer them on. Then we boarded a shuttle to the finish line.
At first, we weren’t sure we’d get there before they did, but the traffic cleared and we were in place when they rounded the final bend.
They did it! I am so proud of them both, but especially my girl who trained through a Massachusetts winter and her dog’s surgery, as well as her normally crazy work schedule. Her perseverance knows no bounds!
It was also fun to have lunch on the beach with some of her friends that afternoon.
That night, the reward was, of course, lobster rolls for dinner! Bailei helped them stretch out that evening and then if was off again on Sunday morning, back to the airport in Boston and then home.
We all finished the weekend exhausted but happy. Elizabeth and Dawn (my sister) were proud of their accomplishment. And hearing them tell us how much it meant to them to have their cheer squad show up along the way and at the end made all the early morning travel worthwhile. What great memories we take away from our time togther!
Are you a runner? Have you done a long race? Where? Or have you cheered on family or friends when they’ve run?