My Seven-Year-Old Finished a Marathon Today

I'm so proud of him I just had to share this with you.  Now before you say a 7-year-old is too young to run that far, let me give you the details.  It was a kids marathon - ran in conjunction with larger marathon, half-marathon and 5k races in our community.  The rules of the kids marathon allowed for the youth to begin April 1st and begin logging twenty five miles.  There were no rules as to how this was done and many of the schools got involved and started walking groups at recess.  Sometimes my son would log 1/4 mile at a time and others up to 2 miles.  Watching my son progress with his training was such a joy.  He would join my speed workout group on the track. He would put his ipod on and run his own pace. The adults would give him high fives and encouragement as he completed each lap. As the summer has progressed, he began to complete a mile at a time with ease.  Today was race day. We went to the registration booth and he proudly turned in his training log.  He recieved his race packet, complete with t-shirt and race number.  #477 - he was so excited.   The course was lined with supporters.  One half hour before the race started all the kids warmed up together and the crowd was pumped.  As he took his place among the sea of participants he waved to me in the crowd.  And then the gun.  They were off.  Many sprinted away while others picked up a nice steady pace.  Many walked and some were tired after 200 yards.  All were doing it. They were each trying their best to complete their goal. 

Before long, I watched as my son rounded the corner on the last stretch home.  He was weary, but still going.  Just then he seen me and our friends that came to cheer him on.  He got a spring in his step and finished strong.  How powerful.  Have you ever had this feeling? To simply look up and make eye contact with someone supporting you?  It truly does give you a boost.  We all need to be there for each other. Sometimes just being present is enough. May you each be blessed with someone who is present in your life.  How does a child run a marathon you ask?  A little bit at a time.  Every day putting one foot in front of the other until finally each mile is marked off and the marathon is complete.  Couldn't we all learn a little bit from these kids and apply it to our everyday lives?

Does the art in this post inspire you?  If so, please take a moment to visit these Etsy shops.  For "Mile19" please visit Vetek Artist Maine. For the silver urban marathon pendant, please visit Saved By Love