It is not often I choose to be a passive observer, but last Sunday was one of those times. Actually, it was an honor. The 2008 Gasparilla Half Marathon in Tampa took place and Lisa was one of the 4000 or so participants.

“How do you think I’ll do?” Talk about loaded questions but after 10 years, we can be honest with each other. “I think that 2:35 is a possibility but 2:38-2:42 is my guess. This would be a PR and would knock off more than 15 minutes off your prior time. “ The reason was simple: Firstly, she worked extremely hard on the track and on the trail so a new best time was a slam dunk. Secondly, I think that 2:30-ish will be a definite in her next half. Why? She takes things in pieces and 40’s would be the next logical step. More so, there were dragons to be addressed and these take time. She had a goal – a dream with a deadline. Little did I know how powerful dreams can be.

The (Tampa) area was absolutely beautiful as was the weather. A crisp, cool 50 something degrees covered the waterways, skyscrapers and thousands of spectators like a soft blanket. Perfect weather. Lisa’s kind of weather. At precisely 6am, the BANG went off and the runners were on the way to new adventure. I saw Lisa and her friend Roxann at about the half mile mark appearing both happy and focused.

Being an observer allows for interesting vantage points. I witnessed the elite runners blazing by like a cheetah looking for breakfast as well as the back of the pack joggers/walkers, struggling to make it to the next half mile marker. Despite such as drastic contrast, it hit me how much similarity exists between the two seemingly polar opposites. Both have goals. Both have guts. Ability is the only separator. Not heart. Not determination. Just skill. Ironically, it was more impactful and moving to watch the back of the pack participants than the elite. Everyone was rooting for both, but the latter group somehow tugged at the heart stings a whole lot more.

After seeing the crowd of runners go by various water stops and landmarks, I meandered my way to the finish line. It was around the 2:30 mark. Good thing. Lo and behold, Lisa came in a minute later. I could not believe my eyes! 2:31. Two thiry One. Two hours, thirty one minutes!

There are moments in one’s life that stand out. No one else may understand why, but the individual will remember such moments until the show is over. And probably beyond. Sunday was one of those days for Lisa. It marked the culmination of enormous amounts of energy, time and effort spend on the track at 5:30am, Monday mornings. It marked the culmination of countless miles on the Trail during the week and expecially on Saturdays. Regardless of circumstances, she was there. No excuses, only gels, Clif electrolyte drinks and a raw determination.

The Gasparilla Half Marathon was more than a PR. It was more than a great experience. It was the day of transformation. Barriers were broken. Inner dragons were slain. “I think I can” became “I DID!” “One day became “Today!”

Sunday, I watched a singer-turned-jogger become a Runner.