The other day, I shared with you my point-of-view about my wife signing up and training for her first marathon. If you haven’t read it yet, you can read Part 1 here.

And now, picking up where I left off…

Race Weekend-My defining moment

YEAH! We made it through the last 4 weeks without killing each other and set out for Disney to check in with Team in Training. The first night we attend a Pasta dinner with Team in Training and prepared for the marathon day.

I guess there are always defining moments in life and mine happened at that pasta dinner. We were walking up to the venue where we were greeted by hundreds of wonderful Team in Training & LLS Volunteers; they were clapping and cheering so enthusiastically; and shouting so loud I felt s as if I were at the Super Bowl and my team had just scored the winning touchdown. They were shouting words of encouragement to the marathoners and their spouses. I pointed to my wife and said “clap for her not me” to which a LLS Team Member responded,” This is as much for you as it is for her, without you she could not have done this”.

WOW! I was literally floored and started crying my eyes before I could even reach the doors. To this day it is one of the most moving emotional experiences of my life. At the dinner we heard so many wonderful and inspiring stories from some of the brave people who beat this horrible disease and were running the marathon the next day. How awesome! Then an LLS Team in Training leader spoke about the dedication of spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends and family. "How about a standing ovation for the family members who encouraged you and picked up the slack at home to make this possible" WOW that was pretty awesome too!

So Proud!

It’s at that point I realized that we had done this together; as our own little Mel and Stu “Team in Training”. We shared in the pain, the fights, the emotional moments, the joys and sorrows. But I always think of how in the end it was so worth it! When Melody crossed that finish line,it was her time to cry her tears of joy.

The pride of having your loved one finish an event that they have trained so hard and long for is immeasurable. I thank my wife for her passion to run, and especially for all the hard work she puts into fund raising. She finished as the number 2 fundraiser for Team in Training’s Suncoast Chapter for the 2006 Disney Marathon. I also thank Team in Training for recognizing all of us supportive spouses and helping us understand that though it isn’t easy,   it’s all about the Team!

If you are a marathon spouse, what is your proudest moment?