Fit City: Inspiring words that get us to the finish
Heartfelt cheers, teasing jeers pay off at race finish line.
“A competitor and teammates said I had a fat (butt) on the start line. I spent the whole race thwarting their entire team and beating them at the finish.”
— Bob McGhee “My husband — with tears in his eyes and a break in his voice — telling me how proud he was of me. I think I could have kept going for days on that one ...” — Mary Beth Saenz, seen here in blue. She was the last finisher in Jack’s Generic Triathlon. Her husband, in red, had already finished the race but went back to cross with her.
CONTRIBUTED BY KREUTZ PHOTOGRAPHY
Sometimes, you just can’t do it alone.
You might realize it at mile 20 of a marathon, or with a daunting hill looming just ahead during a 100-mile bicycle ride. You might feel like reaching for a Styrofoam noodle midway through an open-water swim, or question your sanity while tugging on your cycling shoes during a triathlon.
Then, just when you’re ready to buckle, someone — your best friend, husband or a total stranger — says something that pulls you out of the gutter. You fight to the finish. Without them, you never would have made it.
We asked readers to share the most inspiring thing anyone ever said to get them through a grueling event. From the high school track coach who advised his team to “Run your own race” to the guy who yelled “The free pizza tent is almost out,” we loved what we heard.
Here, we share some of our favorite responses.
Next time you think you just can’t turn the pedals one more time, when you’d rather sit down on the curb and take off your shoes than keep running, remember these words.
They just might get you to the finish line.
“My husband — with tears in his eyes and a break in his voice — telling me how proud he was of me. I think I could have kept going for days on that one ...” — Mary Beth Saenz
“A competitor and teammates said I had a fat (butt) on the start line. I spent the whole race thwarting their entire team and beating them at the finish.” — Bob McGhee
“A stranger started to pass me at mile 25 of the Chicago