Marathon Sunday. The single greatest day in New York City, above all. From our very first glimpse of it back in 2006, we were both affected, moved and in awe:
I know I speak for both of us in saying we'll never forget that afternoon. I think in a lot of ways, the stirring we felt was the beginning of what would be an individual running journey for both of us. A journey that would take us to one day running that very New York City Marathon. I get chills thinking about it even now. All the years we've spent supporting others would be leading us to being the stars of the show. It's amazing to me the way that life happens. I could never have dreamt that either of us would be wearing that bib so proudly and running down that exact street five years later. Wow Allison, what a feat to have accomplished.
I know I've said it a bunch but I'll never get the image out of my mind watching you start out on marathon day. Sun shining, people cheering, music playing...it was tremendous. I looked over at you and I don't think I've ever seen such joy exuding from you before. At a time where I thought I'd be the one happily encouraging you, the roles were totally reversed and it was quite unexpected for me. It was a moment I'll never forget though and one where I sort of felt like the older sister for once, watching my younger, more carefree sister bounce along the Verrazano Bridge without a care. I wish I could explain to people what it felt like to watch you accomplish something seemingly impossible for you after the struggle with your knee(s).
I'm so glad we could start the race together and even run as long as we did side by side. I know we both want to cry not having photos along the way and, more than that, knowing we finished only minutes apart from each other. However, I think I might have taken beginning the race with one another over finishing it because it symbolized so much even crossing the start line. Hours and miles and sweat and tears brought us to that point and I almost feel that finishing on our own was the end to our personal journey. It was powerful.
The kickoff to race day begins! This is just so exciting to look through again:
There are no other words to express what is true, rich, full, sincere, unsurpassed joy:
Oh my goodness, do I feel elated looking back through these and thinking of race day. Allison, WE FINISHED THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON:
There just aren't words, really. Once we finally got our asses home and showered, it was high time for the biggest and best celebration in history with the people we love most. I'll be wearing a permanent smile on my face forever because of this night:
Finishers, yeeeeeeah:
So. Much. Freaking. Fun. I can hardly stand it:
Amazing that Bryan could be there:
My wonderful Hog:
Yep, this sums up the night perfectly and I'd have it no other way:
My oh my, what a truly remarkable day and night that was. Sometimes I do wonder whether I'll be in that position again but there's plenty of time to think about that... We'll be hard pressed to find something that tops this, dude. All I know is I happily look forward to trying!
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