They didn't quit!

On Monday April 15, 2019 my beautiful wife Lori and I had the opportunity to cheer on the athletes that were participating in the 123rd running of the Boston Marathon.  We were also blessed that our vantage point was along the notorious Heartbreak Hill!

I am sure that Heartbreak Hill is not the longest or steepest hill in the world.  And it may not be the longest or steepest in the running world either.  But what I can tell you is that it starts right after mile marker twenty and if you are an exhausted runner staring up from the base it looks like it may go on forever.  Needless to stay it can be very intimidating and can break your mental will.

We spent several hours on the hill watching thousands of runners pass by.  And while the weather on this race day was not the worst they've ever seen ... it was definitely unpredictable.  I grew up in  New England so I wasn't bothered much by the sudden changes on this "Spring" day, Lori however was much more susceptible to sudden and constant changes in temperature, wind, sunshine and moisture.   Coat on, gloves on.  Gloves off, coat off.  Coat on, gloves on.  Coat off, gloves off.  Rain coat on, rain coat off.  Suns out, get more water. Here comes more clouds, coat on ...

Though the temperatures weren't extreme (if you were just watching the race), the need for appropriate weather gear was there.  If you were a runner on heartbreak hill while there was a light shower you probably welcomed it.  However, if the sun was out while you were climbing this hill and heading towards mile marker twenty-one you were probably hating life and questioning why you ever committed to this run.

Despite the weather changes and Heartbreak Hill we did not see a single runner quit.  There were many that ran by very focused, seemingly oblivious to the cheering crowds that lined the course.  There were quite a few runners that reached out for a high-five and inspiration.  There were even a few that slowed down to dance to the beats that the Lululemon DJ was pumping out.  And, yes, there were also plenty that passed by with the "joy of running" on their faces [ironic inside joke: I say this to my wife when we are out running and I see someone that doesn't look like they want to be out there running either].  But none of these people quit.

I have no idea what happened after they climbed Heartbreak Hill and perhaps there were even a few participants that didn't quite make it to heartbreak hill.  But from my vantage point I didn't see any quitters!

With most goals you don't have to come in first to be a winner.  Not quitting can be winning!  Finishing can be winning!  And, starting is definitely winning if it's the Boston Marathon!

         Interesting facts from an article posted on January 19, 2014 at MarathonTrainingSchedule that prove "Starting is winning!":
         15. "... running for an hour a few times a week can lower your blood pressure readings 12mgs
         25. "... approximately 0.5% of the U.S. population has run a marathon"
         35. "Running (and preparing for a marathon) improves job performance."

Have a blessed day!