As I turned the final corner to head up the last big hill on my training run this morning, I called out to one last person that I could see on the trail to say Good Morning! I try my best any time that I am out on my bike or running to acknowledge everyone that I see. I do this in hopes of connecting with them, supporting them and in hopes that when the day comes that I am in need of help that they might remember me and will be willing to stop! The man that I called out to was dressed in golf like attire. Khaki shorts, a golf shirt and a wide brimmed straw golf hat similar to one that my Dad has. There is a golf course close by and I think that he is a marshall on the course. When I called out, he responded “Good Morning!” and then threw his hands in the air and said “Congratulations, you did it!” and clapped. I smiled, told him thank you, all the while thinking to myself that I still have this big hill ahead of me and I wasn’t up it yet.
As I continued on and worked my way up the hill, my memory toggled to two years ago about this time that I was training for my first marathon. I ran this path a lot in the process of training for my marathon, so much that I knew every curve, every hole, every tree and the people that frequented it. The marshall was one of the people that I saw on a regular basis and thinking back, he always cheered for me every time that I passed. Some days at the lowest of lows and some days at the highest of highs, he always had an encouraging word and/or gesture. I didn’t realize how much I appreciated his support then until today.
To the “Trail Marshall” (that is the new name that I am providing for him) - thank you! Your encouragement today made my day, got me up the hill with a spring in my step and brought back awesome memories while providing a boost to my mindset knowing how far I have come from two years ago on that trail!! Please keep encouraging everyone out there. You never know the life you are touching and your part in their journey.
One Day...One Step!
