Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to run the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, Georgia. The Peachtree is an annual 10k held on July 4th, and is heralded as being the largest road race in the U.S., and is an Atlanta tradition.
This year marked my second time to participate in the Peachtree, and my first time to do so as a runner (last year, my sister and I walked it together in an effort to create a new tradition. You can read about that experience here).
The Peachtree draws approximately seventy thousand participants each year, and countless others who cheer from the sidelines. It is definitely a high energy event, and one that I look forward to solidifying as my Independence Day tradition in the years to come.
Along the way, I snapped a few photos with my iPhone, like the one above (okay, so I did slow down now and again). I really thought the statement on this runner’s shirt spoke very close to how I feel about my journey over the last couple of years.
My parent’s anniversary is on Independence Day, and growing up, the day centered around the celebration of it, more so than the freedom of our country. I’m not going to lie, there are some very good memories associated with the fourth, but they are made bitter by the fact that the people in them never truly existed to begin with.
It’s easy to look back on those days and call us a happy family. But one only has to look at the day prior, or the one that followed, to know that we were not. Still, July 4th was one day each year, that for my family, was historically a good one.
Last year, my sister Rachel and I decided to make something different of the fourth. Participating in the Peachtree Road Race seemed symbolic of the hard work we put in to move past all of the hurt that came from being in my family. And we did it together, despite my parents many attempts to alienate us from each other.
This time around I ran the Peachtree alone, but the lesson that I learned last year is one that I recalled as I made my way through the course. And that is, it’s tenacity, coupled with the courage to make mistakes, which truly sets me free.
How about you? What makes you free? Tell me about it here!
P.S. I thought it was interesting to see the stories that my pictures told, so I thought I would share them with you. I hope you enjoy!
An estimated 70,000 runners lining up in anticipation of crossing the start line…
The temperatures were at an all time high, resulting in color coded banners placed throughout the course to indicate health risk levels.
Along the way, there was water to quench our thirst…
and water for the blessing of our souls…
When things got tough, there was live music to keep us entertained…
and friendly faces to encourage us on our way…
Some of us felt invincible…
Some of us were invincible…
And when I needed the extra encouragement, I had but to glance down at my bib, signed by former Biggest Loser contestants, Lauren Lee, “Koala” Joe , and Shelly Johnston whose line “…but what if you can!” was just enough to help me finish strong.
