What I Learned From The NYC Marathon
The NYC Marathon takes places once every year.
And every single year, people gather around at certain areas and watchpoints around the Marathon course to speculate and cheer the runners on. The support system is incredible. But before I begin, I want to talk about the runners.
And every single year, people gather around at certain areas and watchpoints around the Marathon course to speculate and cheer the runners on. The support system is incredible. But before I begin, I want to talk about the runners.
Every runner has a story.
Some of these runners have flown in from different countries all over the world.
Some of them are marathon runners — this is another big feat to add to their list of races.
Some of them are new runners — they’ve been training months for this, maybe even years.
No matter the type of person running this race, one thing is for certain:
it takes determination and strength to fully commit and take it on.
Some of these runners have flown in from different countries all over the world.
Some of them are marathon runners — this is another big feat to add to their list of races.
Some of them are new runners — they’ve been training months for this, maybe even years.
No matter the type of person running this race, one thing is for certain:
it takes determination and strength to fully commit and take it on.
If you’ve trained for anything in your life, you are aware of the time that is spent working towards accomplishing that goal. You've probably spent countless hours and days, pushing through it mentally and physically. It’s consistency, determination, and the right mindset that can pull you through.
Many people might ask, 'Why you would put yourself through something like that?'
'You could be living your life at ease...'
'Why make it tougher on yourself?'
It isn’t comfortable and easy, they say.
But I ask, 'Why WOULDN’T you?
Don’t you want to see what you are capable of accomplishing when you put your all into it?'
It's a mental thing, mostly. And of course, it's not for everyone, but you can choose how you can react to certain things. You can choose to accept that that isn't the path for you.
You can choose to push through it, knowing that you'll be a stronger person for it.
It is a choice.
The morning of the marathon, I woke up to the sound of people cheering loudly on the streets.
The light was pouring in from my window, the clanging of cowbells and the cheering got louder and louder as I just laid in my bed... smiling.
You know what went through my mind at that very moment?
The light was pouring in from my window, the clanging of cowbells and the cheering got louder and louder as I just laid in my bed... smiling.
You know what went through my mind at that very moment?
What if we can all come together and cheer each other on… marathon or not?
What if we cheered each other on in everyday things? Such as, making a big decision to do something others would call "bold." Or applying to a new job. Or taking a leap and starting a new company. We don't get much applause for that.
I could go on and on, but why isn’t there more support for things that take place in our day-to-day lives? Why do we wait for a special event or occasion to be supportive of others? Why do we wait to cheer them on in the successful phase of their journey instead of the struggles of getting there? It's all a part of the journey, is it not?
It really is such a small aspect of life, but did you know that one smile or one compliment can change someone’s entire day?
What if we cheered each other on in everyday things? Such as, making a big decision to do something others would call "bold." Or applying to a new job. Or taking a leap and starting a new company. We don't get much applause for that.
I could go on and on, but why isn’t there more support for things that take place in our day-to-day lives? Why do we wait for a special event or occasion to be supportive of others? Why do we wait to cheer them on in the successful phase of their journey instead of the struggles of getting there? It's all a part of the journey, is it not?
It really is such a small aspect of life, but did you know that one smile or one compliment can change someone’s entire day?
I started to get ready to step out for the day, and headed outside and down my street.
The cheering got louder. The clapping increased. The runners’ feet pounded the pavement with every determining step, and I could feel my face smiling again.
This is what it feels like to be supported.
This is what it feels like to have others cheering you on to to the finish line. Helping you keep pushing forward, as much as it hurts, as much as it's tough, as much as you want to quit, you feel hope with the motivation surrounding you.
I felt a surge of happiness seeing everyone come together. Strangers from down the street.
Tourists stopping by. Locals peeking over shoulders to give this year's Marathon a glimpse.
Foreigners from all over the world.
If something like a Marathon can bring us together, regardless of who we are, what our status is, how much we make financially, what we have to offer, where we're from, where we live...
then how can we show more of that support to people in our lives every day?
The cheering got louder. The clapping increased. The runners’ feet pounded the pavement with every determining step, and I could feel my face smiling again.
This is what it feels like to be supported.
This is what it feels like to have others cheering you on to to the finish line. Helping you keep pushing forward, as much as it hurts, as much as it's tough, as much as you want to quit, you feel hope with the motivation surrounding you.
I felt a surge of happiness seeing everyone come together. Strangers from down the street.
Tourists stopping by. Locals peeking over shoulders to give this year's Marathon a glimpse.
Foreigners from all over the world.
If something like a Marathon can bring us together, regardless of who we are, what our status is, how much we make financially, what we have to offer, where we're from, where we live...
then how can we show more of that support to people in our lives every day?
Photography by Madison Lane Photography
