In case you missed it, this weekend was the U.S. Marathon Olympic Trials. There were males and females from all across the country dueling it out to make it onto the U.S. Olympic team that would have the privilege and honor of competing in Rio in just a few short months. Unless you’re a runner or a sports fanatic, then you probably didn’t watch all 2 hours and 45 minutes of the race. But, even if you just caught the end of it, you would have witnessed the most precious moments of the woman’s race.
By the last few miles of the marathon there are usually about 3-4 runners who have broken off from the main pack. In this race, Shalane Flanagan and Amy Cragg broke off early. They took the lead from the beginning and pushed the pace throughout the race. However, these girls weren’t competitors, they were training partners.
These girls were in it to win it together. From before the race even started their interview proved that if one of them qualified and the other didn’t they would be devastated. Together, the ladies trained day in and day out for weeks, months and years to make it where they are. Through those miles they created memories – running tied them together.
During the race they were side by side the entire time. Though you couldn’t hear it, they were talking to each other – encouraging one another and motivating the other to just keep on pushing. They both had this dream and they were determined to accomplish their goal together.
In the final stages of the marathon, Flanagan and Cragg had a substantial lead on the rest of the pack. Flanagan started to ease up and Cragg could tell her friend was getting tired. On the TV you could see Cragg helping Flanagan out as much as she could – she grabbed a water bottle, opened it for her and poured it on her friend to cool her down, she encouraged her and Cragg even let up her pace in order to let Flanagan feel a little more comfortable again.
Cragg knew that Flanagan was falling apart, but would not let her give up now. For about a mile, Cragg kept doing what she could to motivate Flanagan. Cragg finally looked back to make sure the competition was far enough behind Flanagan that they wouldn’t take her chances of getting on to the Olympic team. As soon as Cragg realized Flanagan was safe, it was almost as if through a glance, Flanagan told her friend that it was ok – she could go.
Cragg pulled ahead and ended up finishing in first place. However, Cragg stayed at that finish line until she was sure her friend was going to make it on the team with her. Finally, Flanagan crossed the line in 3rd place, seizing the last spot on the American Olympic team. As Flanagan stumbled across the line, Cragg was there to catch her – in a sweet moment, Cragg held her friend, training partner and competitor in her arms as Flanagan collapsed to the ground.
Flanagan and Craggs story epitomizes the reality of female relationships. I hope you have friends who will encourage you through it all, help you out when you need it most and catch you at the finish line. Your friends are irreplaceable. Don’t forget their importance and never underestimate their ability to pick you up when you need it—value the girls who have been with you through all the highs and lows of life.
