I completed my first marathon today and it was mostly what I expected – physically painful at times, fun to run that far with a large group, mentally challenging to finish, and satisfying. There was one thing that happened, though, that I didn’t expect…
After I crossed the finish line under the huge MARATHON FINISH banner, I immediately burst into tears and sobbed for several minutes. This unexpected emotion wasn’t because I was hurting or sick, it was because of The Journey that was involved in getting to that place. The Journey wasn’t just a physical trip that I took making a commitment to train for 9 months with a focus on one thing – this race. No, it was also an emotional Journey. It was a Journey of finding a new level of discipline inside myself. It was a Journey to find a way to spend a few hours each week away from my job, my family, my obligations, and my failures and just quietly put one foot in front of the other. And it was a Journey to experience a mindfulness that has helped me deepen my faith and improve my relationships.
I didn’t expect it, but I understand why my body burst forth from the anticipation that had built up about this important event in my life. My body understood, better than I did, how much good has come about inside of me because of The Journey and it allowed that celebration of tears to express that joy.
I don’t know where my running Journey will take me next, but I do know that it doesn’t end here.
Morning Run Guys 
Thank you for sharing so sincerely. I cried tears of joy for you, too. It’s so intrigueing how interrelated each of your aspects of The Journey are…they physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional interwoven, growing forward as one entity. Your thoughts are always profound.
It’s such an enriching experience to cross that finish line. I think that so much of distance running’s appeal is the simplicity of it all. Life can be so complicated. It’s as straightforward as believing in yourself and refusing to give up.
Congratulations on this enormous achievement. I hope you always remember that day as the moment when you discovered that you can do anything that you set your mind to.
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