Going down and watching the Lakefront Marathon this morning was one of the best things I've done in a long time. I left completely moved, inspired and overcome with emotion, just like I knew I would.
Knowing that all these runners just spent months and months training and preparing for this day and then watching them in their triumph as they crossed that finish line was amazing. Achieving something so huge takes a tremendous amount of willpower and strength, and it's so incredible to see it in person.
When 11:00 rolled around this morning, Dave and I knew that the window of time was approaching in which the bulk of the runners would be starting to cross the finish line. We swung by Starbucks (I treated myself to a pumpkin latte – mmm!) and then drove along Lake Drive toward downtown, both of us wondering how close we'd be able to park before having to walk the remainder of the way to Veteran's Park.
I thought that parking would be impossible once we got down to Lincoln Memorial Drive, so I parked us on the street just past Lake Park up by the water tower. The weather was absolutely perfect so I figured a little walking would be fun.
Fast forward to us passing about a hundred available spots over the next mile and a half that we had to walk – but oh well! The exercise did us good, and we got to move with the flow of the race, so we watched the runners go by as we walked. 
We cut through the grass where we could, doing our best to avoid all the lovely stuff that the local geese left behind. Not one minute after I said to Dave "it's warm out, I'm glad I wore sandals!" did I suddenly feel my right big toe slide on something mushy. Yup, I'd stepped in some and it made its way into my sandal and under my toe. YUCK!
I did my best to clean it off with some leaves, but then resigned myself to walking the rest of the way with a very dirty big toe. Nice, hey? I suppose I could have found a bathroom to wash it off in, but I wanted to get to that finish line! 
We finally got through the crowd and to the finishing area, and we could hear that the announcer was calling out the names of runners as they finished. I scooted my way in near the fence until I had a clear shot of the finish line.
Just then I simply couldn't hold back the tears any longer. I was so happy for those people – and I could feel their relief and pride! Dave stole the camera and took pictures of my blubbering – but most are just too embarrassing to show on here! I swear, in our two hours or so of watching the race, I probably teared up about 10 times.
It's so moving!!
When we'd watched maybe 75 people finish, we walked back through the crowd of finishers and their families and then started to make our way back to the car. I insisted that we stay along the route so I could start cheering – I'd been a bit shy at first, simply clapping and smiling, but I remembered more and more how much people's cheers helped me when I ran so I started to call out people's names and yell "great job!" and "looking good!" and "you're almost there!" Many times the runners would say thank you! or give a thumbs up or just groan or mumble if that's all they could manage – but it felt great to be encouraging them. 
My hands were red from all the clapping and my feet were starting to hurt from walking more than three miles in sandals (and goose poop!) but I didn't care – I was on such a high from those runners. 
On our way back, I just couldn't help but think about how there's so much tragedy in the world, and about how we're bombarded with it every day. And how there are so many people in this country who waste their days away on the couch, being overweight, unhappy, and never striving for anything better.
But then there are those who get out there and set a goal and then work really hard to achieve it. There are those who offer support and encouragement, oftentimes to people they don't even know. All those people make up events like this one today, and I really feel like those events – the ones that bring people together and inspire others to achieve greatness – make this world a better place.
If that sounds corny, so be it! Next time a marathon is in your town, you go watch and cheer and see how you feel when you come home.
Wasn't it awesome!? I cried a lot too that day. I got on the bus at the Hyatt that took us to the starting line and had tears already then! I was so excited for these people. I had chills the entire day. Thanks for coming down and cheering all the runners on. It's such an amazing experience and a great group of people to be with.
Posted by: Tracey | October 02, 2006 at 10:14 AM
Erin, this is Kyle from Lakefront Brewery last winter. I ran my first (and possibly last) marathon yesterday and I'd like to thank you, Dave, and everyone who came out cheering people on. Having so much support and beautiful weather all came together for a faster race than I could have imagined. I had a great time, but I don't think I'll make this an annual event anytime soon. It's time for me to hang up running for a while and get back to mountain biking (once I can walk at a normal pace again). Great post, keep up the good work!
Posted by: Kyle | October 02, 2006 at 01:47 PM
Don't feel bad- I went to watch for only 30 seconds to see my brother-in-law run close to my house, and teared up... but then again, i am pregnant!
Way to be an inspiration to those runners!
Posted by: Wendy | October 02, 2006 at 03:23 PM
Amen, sister.
I got the goosebumps and teared up just READING your race-day posting from your old marathon blog. The experience is unforgettable. Congrats to all the runners!
It's been almost one year since my first marathon, and I'll definitely have a moment of weepy remembrance on Oct. 9.
;-)
Posted by: Krista | October 02, 2006 at 03:50 PM
Erin, thanks for getting out there and cheering on the runners. Seriously, without the spectators, I think some people wouldn't be able to complete the course. I know I couldn't. So, even though you were cheering in a different city, thanks for being out there and supporting those crazy marathoners. And, just so you know, I ran one of the miles in honor of you and the other faithful readers of my blog. You guys provided a lot of inspiration. Thanks, girl!
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 02, 2006 at 06:36 PM
2006 was my third Milwaukee Marathon, the crowd support this year was the best out of the three. Thanks for coming out, wish I could thank all of you. People just don't know how a little bit of cheering can pump a runner up, forget the pain a little bit and press on. The crowd support out on the course and at the finish was awesome!
Posted by: Bob McCann | October 11, 2006 at 12:37 PM