The chatter wafted only to be drowned out by the laughter. I look around the table and smile. These are my friends. Like a large family eating Thanksgiving dinner, we are all talking at the same time. Each one of us is reliving our last 26.2 mile race. Some of us raced together, and some of us did not, but we each came to the table with our own experiences. With understanding found only by another runner, we listen and identify with each race-day emotion felt. And we celebrate. Oh do we celebrate.
We worked hard the last 6 months, pushing each other, encouraging one another as we trained for our marathons. We worked through injuries, anxieties and doubt. We built each other up and propelled each other forward. "I can't" was never spoken because we knew it wasn't allowed. Can't is the easy way out. There is nothing easy with this group. Each week we left our jobs and families and came together to run and sweat. And encourage.
Plans for next races are discussed. One thing about marathoners, we are never satisfied and always have to be planning. Always. We determine which races we want do next and when we are going to do a weekend long run together again. With giddy excitement we plan. We are runners and we love to run together. Like a family.
I look around the table and smile. I feel...at home.
I like the warmth you put into your writing, Cheri. You said it well!
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