Notes From the Finish Line

photo credit: Medstar Health BWC photography

This is me crossing the finish line at the Medstar Baltimore Women’s Classic 5K this past June. I’ve crossed a few finish lines both literally and figuratively as I am sure you have also. These are some reflections from this time around.

1. The Journey may not go as planned. In this race I had planned to run instead of walk even though I had been nursing a bout of plantar fasciitis. But the day after my first training group I had an appointment with the dermatologist. One foot biopsy later and running was out of the question. Enough time had passed that I was able to walk. Walking was good enough!
2. Sometimes it gets hard when you are almost near the end. The last .3 miles were by far the hardest when the stinging and burning started in my left foot started. That’s when I began to visualize the finish line. I thought about how I would feel when I was done. And there were race volunteers cheering us on to the end. It is always good to have someone in your corner to cheer you on when things get tough.
3. Focus on what’s important. I did not realize until I crossed the finish line that my shirt was ‘riding up’. I’m sure had I not had on a tank underneath I probably would have noticed. But I didn’t. I was focused on putting on foot in front of the other. Of course, when I finished I tidied myself up. There are often many distractions when you are trying to reach a goal. Leave the things that are not essential for after you have crossed the finish line.
4. Everyone speeds up a few steps before they cross the line. There are people cheering. The music is playing. There is a photographer at the finish line. I was limping until the finish line was in sight. Then, of course, I started trotting especially for the photo. When you get to the finish line, it doesn’t matter how hard it’s been or how long it has taken. Cross that line and enjoy your moment.