Published 30/07/2014
This month, I would like to share with you Julie’s Marathon run as seen through the eyes of a friend and spectator. I hope you enjoy reading his account of Julie’s run.
Barbara
Lessons learnt from a brave lady.
Hello Dear Friends of the Barbara’s Clinic. My name is Ben and I am a proud friend of Barb and Julie. I asked Barb if I could contribute to the newsletter on a follow up witnessed account of Julie’s remarkable completion of the Gold Coast marathon.
I would firstly like to point out, for those who don’t know, that the Gold Coast Marathon is 42 km, from start to finish. In today’s busy, hectic lifestyle, a lot of us barely walk to the shop to get milk etc; it’s all too easy to get in the car and drive to the shop. So running 42 kms is an unbelievable feat that many of us would never even dare to contemplate.
In the weeks before the race, I asked Julie, why, at her age, would she want to do a marathon, and her reply was that she wanted to show her children that we can all do amazing things and achieve any goal that we set ourselves. Wow!!! Well Julie, you sure did that and through your courage and effort you taught many others valuable lessons, which I will explain later.
On race day, 6th July, I travelled down to the Gold Coast to support my friend in her quest of completing 42kms. Our arrangement was that I positioned myself at 32 km mark, as Julie said it would be nice to see a friend there with only 10 kms to go. After a while Julie came along, looking fatigued. She said “oh Ben – not good”, her muscles aching, I could see she was battling fatigue. The pain and the mind games you have to battle and conquer, I could only imagine. I knew Julie would be okay because she has mettle and it was a personal goal. She was also fuelled by the love she has for her family, teaching them valuable lessons that we all can achieve amazing things in life. It’s all about mindset, and believing in yourself.
As Julie ran off on the last 10km leg, I noticed all the support crews along the road in tents cheering on runners and friends – it was truly amazing. The expressions on runners faces when they saw their friends cheering, you noticed their pace pick up, and a smile on their weary faces. Just to know that their friends are there for them showed me the beauty of support and what it means in life.
Well, Julie finished the 42 kms, with her son helping along the way, running beside her in the last 5kms, telling her how proud he was of her. I’d personally like to congratulate Julie on a remarkable effort. You showed us all through your efforts some holistic principles that we all can benefit from your strength and determination you displayed on that day.
Some of the lessons I learnt from Julie’s run that day were:
1 NOT TO LIVE IN FEAR
2 TO BELIEVE IN YOUR SELF
3 TO ALWAYS CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES
4 TO HAVE A GOAL
5 TO DREAM, BELIEVE, ACHIEVE AND SUCCEED
6 TO EMBARK ON A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
7 AND MOST OF ALL SET A EXAMPLE FOR OUR YOUTH AND LOVED ONES
So Julie, thank you very much for your guts, determination and the lessons you taught me through your display of tenacity and willpower. You are truly inspirational.
I would encourage anyone to go to the Gold Coast Marathon next year, it’s an amazing atmosphere that will inspire you, and you will definitely reap some spiritual energy from it to help you in your journey of health, happiness and good fortune. Remember we all are awesuuuuummmmmm!!!!!!!
Best wishes
Ben