Cheering for Sam

I know someone who has decided to run a marathon.
You know what, I don't even care how far that is...the decision just to make the commitment to do it and actually train is enough to push my proud button hard!!!

We are gonna call this person Sam.
You see Sam hasn't told many people about this huge undertaking.

Sam is just not ready for the masses to know about this journey, though I wish that wasn't the case, then I wouldn't have to be so secretive and weird about it in this post.
That's okay...in time.
And don't even try to ask me who Sam is...I won't be tellin' ya.

Sam suggested in an off-hand manner that I might show up to be at the finish line of this Saturday's 5K run.
I walk approximately 1.18 miles in the morning with my gimpy ankle and wounded knee dog, and am trying to imagine keeping up the stamina to go that much more. Ugh!!


I checked the soccer schedule, saw that I had an opening and agreed to come.
I showed up early with my camera bag in tow.
I wasn't sure if I had arrived at the right place and bravely asked a very fit looking girl carrying a water cooler if I had made it to the right place.
She assured me I had, and tried to hand me this sign to hold to cheer on the incoming runners.

I told her I was sorry, but I was there to take pictures of Sam.

There was an official camera girl there.
She kept sprinting ahead of the finish line to get the runners rounding the corner, then back to get them as they finished.

I noticed she was shooting in Manual mode and I was real proud of her for that.
You could tell she was no newbie to this camera thing...like I am.


There were a few people there to cheer on their loved ones.
This sweet dad and daughter really stood out to me with their fun sign and freshly picked bouquet of wildflowers.


Beautifully and lovingly arranged wildflowers bound together with a handy scrunchy, which the girl had pulled out of her hair to make the arrangement really special for her mom.

Oh, I just love those roots hanging down!!!




As the runners rounded the last corner and began to race to the end, the assembled crowd would shout out cheers and encourage each runner to make it those last few steps to the finish line!!
The first to enthusiastically cheer each and every time was the adorable girl who had assured me I was in the right place.
She had a vested interest in each of these people who were obviously touching her life as she leads them toward their goal.
She proudly shouted their time to them, and then with great pride bestowed each with a medal, that I assume she took the time to make herself!

That is her there in the sunglasses. Her enthusiasm was infectious.



I know I cannot possibly convey to Sam how proud I am of this accomplishment.
How good it was to stand there and see those feet round the last corner and finally cross the finish line.
I want Sam to know without a doubt that this is AMAZING!!!
When the struggles come and it seems like the ultimate goal is impossible, I want Sam to remember that I am waiting patiently at the finish line to see this thing done!!!

Way to go Sam!!!