The last 26.2 miles….

Is it just me, or are you, too, blown away by stories of extraordinary accomplishments of people you wish you were blessed to know?

Last Sunday, November 3, 2013, the world’s largest marathon was run in New York City.  That’s MY city!

This year’s race was particularly special for a number of reasons.  In addition to perfect running conditions, 48,000 runners and the streets of the 5 boroughs that are New York City lined with record-breaking  crowds offering support to the runners, this year’s race meant more than ever.

Last year’s NYC Marathon was cancelled.  Mother Nature had sent Super Storm Sandy on a marathon of her own.  She too had visited the 5 boroughs as well as the Jersey Shore, Long Island (that’s MY ISLAND!) as well as surrounding Metro areas.   We were in a race of a different sort: to save homes, treasures…lives.

Many are still running THAT race; we are all winners!

After New York, all eyes were set on Boston.  On another beautiful day for a Marathon another disaster struck.  It wasn’t Mother Nature.  In fact, it seemed to be the antithesis of anything that could be defined as natural.  On that day, terrorism struck devastating a country, a city, a community, families, individuals.

We are still fighting THAT battle; we will be winners!

So, November 3, 2013 was about more than world-class athletes  and recreational heroes,  It was about spirit, survival, destiny and humanity.  It was a good day.

That day was special for another reason.  For on that beautiful Sunday and for  more than 8 hours, 86 year old Joy Johnson of California, USA, became the oldest woman to compete in a 26.2 mile marathon.  She competed along with her 83  year old sister – there is nothing like a sister.  Others around her competed in the greatness of this woman aptly named “Joy” – and wasn’t she just!

Somewhere in the 20th mile, Joy slipped and bumped her head.  She declined medical attention and was determined to finish her race.   The next day, she appeared on a National Talk Show with Al Roker to “show-off” her medal; that was her goal. 

Joy Johnson died just several hours later.

The legacy of this beautiful spirit, this outstanding example of determination, this brilliant living-definition of what it means to have a passion and to put it in motion will live forever.  Joy Johnson will inspire others who may never know her name, never really know what it took to do what she did; they just know that she proved what is possible when you have a vision, see the goal and take action to reach it.

So, IS it just me, or do you, too , want to strive to find  some form of “joy” in your heart that can be put in to action, that can inspire others, that can go the distance and in the end create a great legacy of your own?

         That’s a race worth running!