Hindsight of the Race

Our second annual All Bodies in Motion 5K and All Adventure Course race wrapped up by noon on Sept 21st.

The second time is always easier than the first. I feel more comfortable knowing what to expect. This event was no different.

The course was the same. The registration process was familiar. We had previous sponsors and participants to lean into for support and engagement.

The biggest difference this year over last year was that I chose not to run the race myself. I chose to be fully present in service to others for the event. I am so glad for this.

I had a front row seat to see people arrive and check in. I heard the volunteers share connection stickers and point people to the starting points.

I got to send Lindsay off on her second 5k. Her goal was to beat last years time and she crushed it. She was stronger and slimmer than last year. She came in 13 minutes faster and her entire family was there to send her off and welcome her back. Seeing this support had me welling up in tears of gratitude to witness this special moment for her family.

Lindsay is a neighbor and a friend. As the mother of a child with a disability I have learned some of my greatest lessons from people with disabilities. Lindsay shares with me how she was raised, what her parents tolerated and what they didn’t- from her and from others. When I told her I was planning on the 5K and the adventure course I expected her to participate in the adventure course and she suprised me by asking if she could do the race.

There was no way I was going to say no. By paying attention to what would set her up for success we could make some simple adjustments which led to her participating fully in the event. Here’s what we came up with:
1. Flat hard surfaces work best for people using canes and wheel chairs. Bingo, we created an alternate starting point on concrete measured to the same distance as the starting point on grass and with a timing system in place to track her.
2. More time to complete the course. We knew it would take her longer to complete the course so we implemented an earlier start time. By starting off at 8:30am versus 9:30am she got a headstart and was at the halfway point when the other runners began. She was able to complete her 5K when the majority of the other runners were completing theirs and felt more involved in the race itself. It also gave her time to be present for award presentations.

These two accommodations made it possible for us to witness Lindsay accomplishing her goals, her family to support her and see her in action, others to cheer her on and be inspired by what’s possible with there’s desire.

Seeing the smile on her face was priceless. Seeing her kids run to her with hugs and congratulations and to hear them cheering her on filled my cup. Hearing her mother talk about how proud she was of Lindsay competing was what hit me the most. Her parents raised her to be independent. They gave her access to everything they could for her to fully participate in her community and raised her to believe that she has a place. They had to fight against status quo. They had to advocate for her to be included. For bathroom doors to be adjusted to allow her to open them without undue strain- that’s a story for Lindsay to share.

Having Lindsay and her canes participate in this race is one of the greatest gifts I have received. Visually you can see that All Bodies got in motion- those with canes and without- and everyone had a great time.

Thank you Lindsay for your friendship and your participation. I can’t wait to see what your time in next year and I pray that you inspire others with different mobilities to come out and get in motion with us.