Saturday, May 1, 2010

Run Forrest, Run!

What a great morning it was! Today is the Illinois Marathon in Champaign and since Brian and I are kinda into running and we loved being a part of a race, we wanted to go, support, and expose the kids to these amazing people who can do such amazing things.

Also, months ago, we were both moved after reading an incredible blog from a marathoner and writer who wrote what it was like to run with a "back of the pack" runner. a slow runner out to do nothing else but finish. It was significant for us both and Brian and I wanted to be a runners motivator. Check out the story.

Anyway, my parents backyard is literally on the race route so we headed over to John street and brought a blanket, snacks, toys and more and just watched runners at the 17 mile mark. We cheered and clapped and hooted and hollared. It was great. The kids loved it too. They ran up and down the sidewalks with the runners- cheering along the way!

This is the Bechtel-Fulton team!
Look at the runner in the green shorts- he's BAREFOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The view up John Street!
We saw a few people we knew....two sorority sisters from college, a guy from church...and then- out of the blue, some older guy in an orange t-shirt yells at Brian, "hey, why and I out here and not you?" Bri looks up, recongizes and takes off running with the guy ( that's Bri in the blue shirt and tan shorts). After about 100 feet he returns to us and tells us it's his highschool football coach from Galesburg, Coach Willy! What a small world!
We stayed for about an hour and a half and Bri and I could have stayed all day. We loved it. On our way home we decided to run the marathon next year- 2011- AS A RELAY! We are looking for two more who want to join us!

1 comment:

Mallory said...

I'll do the relay with you!! Maybe we can get my husband to do it with us too. :)