Thar She Goes!!!

Today Marilyn, Molly, and I spent the day cheering Rachel as she ran (yes, some people actually do that in races) her first marathon.  We were able to see her twice - at Mile 16 as she came off the Queensboro Bridge and around Mile 25 as she headed toward the finish.  The weather was very cool - the three of us were bundled in coats and gloves but Rachel was trotting along in shorts and singlet (maybe that's why she was so fast - she was running for some warm clothes?).  And speaking of running fast, her finish time was 3 hours and 36 minutes - and in case you didn't know, a marathon is 26.2 miles.  I'll save you the computation - that means she was running an average of 8 minutes miles.  For 26 miles.  I don't even think I could put on my shoes and tie them in that space of time.

After seeing her at Mile 25, we headed to our pre-decided meeting spot to wait for Rachel.  Security was extremely tight for the marathon, so it took awhile for us to get there, and even longer for Rachel to make her way through the finish line area and over to us.  Marilyn held up one of the signs she had made - the flag is Chile's where Rachel was born and raised while Marilyn and Eddie were missionaries there.  Eventually we all got together, Rachel put on the warm clothes we had for her, and we headed out for a celebratory meal.  The best part was the expressions on our male waiters' faces when Rachel told them her finish time - I think they were shocked that she was so fast!  But they were also impressed, because while we were eating, two couples came in to eat dinner.  Both men had on their race medals and the waiters asked them their times.  When the men told them, the waiters said, "This girl beat you!"  It was perfect!!

Of course I am proud because Rachel is my niece.  I am proud because she finished the New York City Marathon.  I am proud because she kept going even though it was cold and even sprinkled rain a little bit.  I am proud because she is so dingity-dangity fast.  But most of all I am proud because of WHY she chose to run.  She chose to run for a reason that goes far beyond being personal.  As with the rest of her life, she chose to do something that will make a difference in this world.  She chose to run to make a difference in the lives of children through Child Protection with Team World Vision.  In committing to running 26.2 miles, she also committed to raising funds for the protection of children from abuse and exploitation.  To date, she has raised $6405 (and would love to raise more if you would like to donate).

Way to go Rachel - you are awesome!!

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Today was a great day because:  watching the marathoners and Rachel; beautiful day in NYC; breakfast at the Comfort Diner with Marilyn and Molly; post-race dinner and waiters