The real inspiration.

I recently finished a race, near the back of the pack, I went out and simply enjoyed myself, while pushing my 3 year-old son in a stroller. While there were some great stories in this race, some I knew (a friend winning her age group the first time), and many more I did not. The story that I saw though was one that I felt I had to share.

While running off my normal pace, I ran next to men out of breath, running their first 5k. I ran with women who were struggling to walk 3.1 miles. I ran with children with such incredible joy written across their faces. The people near the back of the pack might not call themselves runners, they certainly finished well behind the front of the pack, some of which were probably home by the time the last runner crossed the finish line. While there's no taking away from the accomplishment of the runner that wins the race, their hard work determination and effort are what got them there after all, but I'd like to take a moment and applaud those at the back of the pack, those that didn't win a spot on the podium, but that simply won a personal victory by showing up and putting in the work to finish. We'll never see these folks on the front of "Runner Magazine", you'll never see them in bright gleaming HD on coverage of your favorite race. Where you will see these folks is at the next race, at the gym, and at your office.

To those that are out there just to complete it, to whom running a 9 minute mile seems a Herculean effort, I salute you, I cheer for you, and I respect you. Those at the front of the pack are runners, this is true, but no more than those that stumble across the finish line 30 minutes later, with a smile on their face, a sweaty hug for their friends and family, and maybe even a bit of a limp. There might not be as many people at the finish line when you make it across, but don't let that lessen you sense of accomplishment. Take that race shirt, wear it proudly, and brag to everyone that will listen about your race! Congrats back of the pack, you're what truly inspires me.