My sister Cecilia and I spent roughly 6 hours handing out water to NYC marathoners yesterday. We saw thousands upon thousands of people go by us. At times, it was almost overwhelming to keep up with the demand. Even so, I tried my best to make eye contact with every marathoner who took a cup of water out of my extended hand. Every time a cup was exchanged, I felt a ripple of good feeling go through my body. We volunteered at the Mile 15 water station, and I knew from running the marathon last year, that the next mile after our station was probably going to be the most challenging. Marathoners have to cross over the 59th street bridge, which has a steep incline. Add to that the wind blustering at that height over the East river and the fact that spectators are not allowed on the bridge, and it makes for a very quiet, long and arduous mile. So it was not only rewarding to hand people refreshing water before they took this on, but I felt compelled to shout encouraging words and pat many of them on their backs as they went by. Now, as exciting as it was to watch the worlds best runners glide by at impressive speeds, what really struck me and left a deep impression was witnessing participants who seemingly had no business attempting a marathon - giving it a shot. I watched so many elderly, disabled and wheelchair bound marathoners go by and chip away at doubt and fear with every breath taken and mile accomplished. Overcoming a challenge, setting a goal and relentlessly moving forward to achieve it, without excuses. What more could I ask for than to see that kind of spirit personified? Lets just say that it was a great way to spend a Sunday in New York City. --Willy A. https://facebook/nycmarathon/posts/10152882777508324
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 20:02:01 +0000
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