The Green Girl had the opportunity to be a
cheerleader at the
Long Beach Marathon today.
The
Sole Runners kicked off Saturday morning together at the Expo.
Coach Steve gave us some last minute encouraging words of advice and we took a group picture. Afterward, Michelle, Rozie, and I stopped for some breakfast together.
Later on in the evening, Michelle, and I joined Alice from
HefferBlog, Glenn from
The Running Fat Guy, Jay from
Tri2Thrive, Mags from
Run Happy, Penny from
Planet Ynnep Running, Penny's dad, and some other runners at
La Parolaccia for some carbo-loading.
I gave Michelle a
Sole Runners shoe keychain made by
Mostly Even, Sometimes Odd on
Etsy as a good luck charm before the race.
Starbucks cappuccino waiting for Richard at Mile 13 |
This morning, in preparation for my cheerleader duties, I crammed as much sports nutrition as possible in my
Nathan Speed 4 hydration belt; packed bite-sized peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; brought frozen
Zico coconut water and electrolyte water in a cooler; picked up the
Starbucks cappuccino I had promised one of the Sole Runners, Richard; and posted myself at Mile 13.
I watched in awe as the elite runners sprinted by. I cheered on Sole Runners and strangers. I screamed loudly in support of all the pace groups.
I watched as
Boston qualifying dreams were shattered when runners realized at the halfway point that they would not make it in time.
P from
Adventures of an Average Athlete spotted me and I attempted to snap a quick shot of us together. (For the record, I
hate arm's length shots.)
Speaking of arm's length shots, I saw
Rad Runner Girl.
I gave her some electrolyte water and attempted to run with her for a bit but her pace was too much for me and I had to tap out after a few blocks. I left a bottle of coconut water with her husband for a recovery drink.
Jessica 'Wabbitz' stopped to wish me good luck in
Athens.
Jessica Aniac Wabbitz |
Before I knew it, Michelle had reached Mile 12 just across from Mile 13 so I quickly grabbed the remaining bottles and headed out with her.
My friend, Jackie, caught up with us on her bike after completing the Bike Tour. She was kind enough to bring a container of fresh sweet pineapple slices and some extra water.
As the miles got longer, Michelle commented that the Sole Runners tent would probably be long gone but I reassured her that it would still be there for us to help keep her spirits up.
Jackie on her bike |
Around Mile 23, one of the Sole Runners, LeAnn, called to check in on us. I let her know we still had a few more miles to go.
When the Finish Line was in sight, Michelle asked me to go ahead so I could get a shot of her crossing. I ran as fast as I could and as I approached the Finish, Sole Runners started cheering loudly.
As I crossed over the Finish, I politely declined the medal explaining I was simply a cheerleader and got into position to get pictures of Michelle. Just then, someone mentioned if I still had runners coming that I would have to ask them to hold a medal because they were being put away. I started yelling violently to please hold some medals as I started snapping pictures of my friend.
Michelle receiving her Long Beach Marathon medal |
They did hold some medals and, to my relief, Michelle got a medal as she crossed the Finish.
After congratulating Michelle, I hurried back to the medal area to make sure they had enough medals for the three remaining Sole Runners who were still out there.
As soon as we spotted the last three Sole Runners, we all ran out onto the course and surrounded them with cheers and smiles. One of the mentors, Mariela, chanted encouraging words through a megaphone.
Running in the last Sole Runners - No Sole Runner is ever left behind |
As we walked the 'newly' marathoners to the Sole Runners area, I suddenly realized the Sole Runners tent was the very last tent standing. Coach Steve had refused to take down the tent until the very last Sole Runner had crossed the Finish Line.
In addition to running the marathon himself, Coach Steve made sure every last Sole Runner completed the race - no matter how long it took them.
And it wasn't just Coach Steve, other Sole Runner mentors and Sole Runners hung around for the back of the packers.
I became so overwhelmed with emotions that I started crying. I was so proud of Michelle and the emotional and mental fortitude she displayed today. I was so inspired by all the first time marathoners who ran 26.2 miles for the first time in their lives today.
I am so proud to be a Sole Runner and to be a part of the best running group in the world.
The Green Girl wanted to do a little something for the CasITa-to-5k for the holiday season.
The Softie Shoes are replicas of the CasITa-to-5k's Saucony shoes.
