WOW, thank you so much to those that sent in your finish line photos. They are all amazing and I absolutely loved reading them all (about 200 entries!!). I can’t even tell you how many of them made me cry. I narrowed it down to 15 for the contest today but I will be posting the others throughout the month because they are all so incredible. You guys are truly amazing.
Go ahead and vote for your favorite picture/story in the comments pretty please.
Just vote by telling me which number is your favorite. THANKS!!!
#1.
#3.
This first one is from my first marathon. I ran a 3:09 first time. I cried tears of pure joy as I approached the finish. This is about 30 ft from the finish shoot. I had just gone through a deep postpartum depression a couple years prior and I just felt on top of the world. I came to know that I could do anything I put my mind to. I was weeping but smiling and yelling out loud “I did it. wooohooo” -in this picture. :)
#4.
#5.
This is me running towards the finish at my first Ironman. Ironman Mont Tremblant in August 2012. The finish chute is so long and there are SO many people all screaming like you’re the winner. This is the moment I could hear the announcer saying “Mary Minutella from Windsor, Ontario. You. Are. An Ironman!” I trained for this race during one of the toughest years of my life – having separated from my husband, selling our home, etc. So much self doubt was put to rest that day. One of the hardest, most amazing days of my life and this was the the BEST part! I cry like a baby everytime I think about it.
#6.
#7.
This picture was from the finish of my first marathon in March 2013, with my best friend, Erin-Leigh. I never wanted to do a marathon until she convinced me to do it with her. We decided to fundraise for an amazing organization called She’s the First (shesthefirst.org) through our training and running our first marathon. We raised over $9,000 in support of the education of 26 girls in Nepal through our race. This picture reminds me to dream big. It was a life changing experience.
#8.
On March 23, 2014 my dad ran his first half marathon and I was blessed to have run every step right next to him. My dad was with me when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis only 6 months prior. I’ll never forget that in the doctor’s office right after being told I had MS and all the physical and mental ways it would likely affect me, my dad told the doctor through a cracking voice and tears in his eyes, “We’re supposed to run a half marathon in March and we’re GOING to run that half marathon.” And we did :) We ran every step together. It was incredibly special and one of the best days of my life!
#9.
This is from my first full marathon, May 2013 at the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. Somehow I managed to find the time to train alone, work full time with a 75 mile one-way commute, and be a sane single parent to a 3-yr-old, living with my parents. This face is the culmination of all the sacrifice, and mental and physical perseverance I’d accumulated since I found myself alone when my son was 6-months old.
#10.
This is a photo from the finish of my very first half marathon (Buffalo Creek Half Marathon – October 2013). I had only been running for a little over year at this point. I went from being a completely sedentary obese person at the beginning of 2012, to a half marathon finisher and 80 lbs lighter by the end of 2013. Needless to say, the finish of this race was very emotional for me. I was about 100 feet from the finish when I saw a group of people from my running group who waited around to cheer me in. That’s when I burst into my “ugly cry” you can see in the picture. Even though it is probably one of the worst photos of me in existence it also is one of my favorites.
#11.
This is a picture from two years ago back in high school. Thats me on the left with my training partner/mini me on the right. We actually got in a lot of trouble for crossing the finish line together… but we pulled each other through the race taking turns encouraging each other to hang in there and it just seemed right. This race wasn’t a PR or anything but it reminds me the importance of teamwork in running.
#12.
This was my very first 1/2 marathon (9-22-13). I had just turned 50 a few weeks prior to the run. Anyhow; this was just a BIG accomplishment for me. I have never been a runner in my entire life. I was diagnosed asthmatic at age 4 and have never been able to any kind of running. That said – I started running about 11/2 years before I ran this race. Early in 2013 I made up my mind to commit to doing a 1/2 by the time I was 50 (I was able to register for the race, but it happened shortly after I turned 50). I did all of my training on my own (running by myself). I had a great support group in my husband while doing longer runs..he would come out on the bike to bring me a little snack or drink of some type. Thank You David! My kids were else great supporters – while not living near me they cheered hard. And; on the day of the race I had my own little support group. They came out on their bikes and showed up along the course every few miles. My silent goal was to finish this race in 2 1/2 hours, and I DID IT!! I finished in 2:22 and felt terrific during the entire race. I have continued to run and will again run this 1/2 this coming September. Every time I look at these pictures it brings tears to my eyes that I can actually run like this and will keep running like this! I still have my runners high!!!
#13.
My sister, Nikki, and I just crossed the finish line of the BAA Half Marathon in Boston in Oct. 2012. About 8 months before the race, we lost our mom to breast cancer. Neither of us were runners but decided to join to the Dana Farber Cancer Research team and train for this race, while raising money for a cause that means a lot to us. The race was hard, but remembering the strength our mom showed during her painful year-long battle with cancer pushed us to the finish line. We know she was watching over us the whole way, and was proud to see us do this for her!
#14.
This was the Star Valley Half Marathon that took place on July 13, 2012. This was a very meaningful race because my mom had passed away three months prior and I was struggling with the loss, and the morning of the race I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant. I did not want to run, but my hubby pushed me to do it for my mom and little girl. It was very emotional to cross the finish line!
#15.
I decided to run a series of 3 races the same year I lost 50 pounds. I had zero running experience and had no idea of what I was doing. My first 4 mile race I wore slip on tennis shoes. Let’s just say that was not a good idea since my feet were rubbed raw. The next race was a 3 mile and I still didn’t wear shoes that were roomy enough, so my toe nails hurt like crazy. The last race, a fun 4 mile Halloween race I figured out that I needed real running shoes and placed 1st in my age group. I came a long way from that middle aged woman who sat on the couch. I kept telling myself when I was running.. you can do this! I ran as hard as I could to the finish line and collapsed on the grass.
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!! The winner gets a bunch of goodies that any runner would love!
704 comments
Christina
#8!
Amazing
Laura@twinsontherun
10
Tasha
#4. This story brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful photo to have for memory of the special moment.
Angelica
Well thanks for the tears! ;-)
#1
I can relate!
Sarah W
#8!
Traci
They are all amazing stories! I am voting for #13 those cute girls training for their mom!
Jan
Oh, I don’t know! Every time I read a story I’d think ‘that’s it!’ and then I’d read the next one! I can’t possibly chose between 4, 8 and 14!
Christina
Haha I felt the same way! I loved 3, 4, 8, 10 and 14.
Heidi
Number 8!
Taylor
#8!!
However, these are all beautiful!
Brittany
wow so many neat stories!!!! I love photo #14 but have to give my vote to #4 tough pick!
Carol
Go Amy! #10 – you rocked it sister!!! Good Job!!!
Katie G.
#8!!
Christine D.
#6.
It reminds me of the MLK quote: “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
Jasmine
Such amazing stories! I’m voting for #1, so touching and so cute!
Rosie
#4, #13, and #14 are sooo sweet
Cathy
#4 is AMAZING!
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
#4
WendyMI
ALLLLLLLLLL of them! Good Lord, how do you choose?
I honestly love all of the stories and would vote for them all, but I’m going to pick #1. What a sweet story, right down to the gentleman helping with the stroller. The compassionate side of the running community. :)
Marisa
#8 Truly Inspiring!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries
Oh my! These are all incredible. I’m going to choose #1 just because I can relate to that mother/child relationship.
Lucy
Ahhh I am tearing up just reading all of these. But I think Iwill have to choose #8. I heart dads.
Maggie
14
Michelle
#8
Now I need some tissues! These are all awesome! I just love the girl and her dad:)
Valerie
These are all so amazing! Thank you for posting such great stories and contributing to creating a positive running community :)
Sarah C
so hard to pick just one, I loved all the stories. But I like #5 best, what an accomplishment to finish an ironman!
slalani
#4 is such an inspiring story! Thank you so much for sharing your personal story with us. I hope others can find solace in their hobbies, as you have in running.
Good luck!
Catherine
#9. Just goes to show how strong Women are
sarah
7
Robyn
#8! Very inspiring :)
Kristen M
#1-so sweet! Just passed someone on my long run this weekend who had to stop running to carry her daughter out of the stroller.
Kristen @ Glitter and Dust
Wow, these stories all touched my heart in different ways. It seems nearly impossible to pick just one. If I must… I would go with #8 because I understand that father-daughter relationship and if I had the chance to cross the finish line with my father (who has passed away) I would take it without hesitation.
Justin Evans
# 8
Lauren
#8!
Sarah
# 10
Renee
6
Amy @ Not a Hare's Pace
#10 But all of them are great!
Allison
#1 I can definitely relate. Loved them all though–so inspiring!
Mother by love
#8
What a strong, sweet, and beautiful daughter by law my son blessed us with…
You are a wonderful example to all who know your fight in life..
So praise be to God and keep on running….LOVE YOU…
Laura
#8
Jamie
I wasn’t even able to get through all the entries due to continuously tearing up by reading these incredible stories. I’ll come back in a bit to read the rest and cast my vote. :)
Melissa
#1
Beautiful!
Katie
#8!!
Sherilyn
#6
I love them all but this one spoke to me. That determination is inspiring!
Dana A
All are wonderful but I love #4! A treasure photo of her and her mom.
Megan
#5
Megan DuVarney
Those were all such amazing stories, but I have to give my vote to #8!
Mrs.Hilton
#10
Naomi
#8 :)
Katie @ Bevo Loves an Aggie
I vote #4, but it was hard to pick! All of these stories and pictures brought tears to my eyes! So motivating!
Sakina
#6!
AMAZING! Not sure if you ran Boston last year, and/or running it (again) this year, but that’s super inspiring!
Jen K
#1 – Great story!
Theresa H.
Oh man, now I’m tearing up! They are all amazing stories I couldn’t possibly choose one. LOVE these!
BriAnne
#10 and #8!!
Lauren
Great contest!! I love them all but I have to go with #8.
Nicole
Such sweet stories!! My vote is for number 8 :)
Signe Vaughan
#10
Sam
Wow, they are all so amazing!
My vote goes to #4.
sally @ sweat out the small stuff
6
Victoria
#8
Clare
3, 5, 6 are my favorites! All amazing stories though!
Joni Tierney
#10! She’s my inspiration!
Ashley N.
#8
Karin
I have to say #6, although I wish I could vote for all of them. But how amazing to collapse at the finish line, literally crawl across, and then still get a BQ? AMAZING.
Nicole
8 5 and 13
Michelle @ SFTS
#10! I was on the verge of an ugly cry for every single one of these…they were all so inspiring. ♥
Amanda Wilford
14
Micahel Van Court
I would like to vote for all the runners as they each faced adversity and fought back. However, I will vote for #8 as well as her father
Jennifer
#1
DD
#1!
Angela
It’s so hard to choose but I have to pick #1.
Amy R.
Really cool! #14
runningwithscissors
#6
Elizabeth
#8!
Jess
#6
I genuinely don’t think there is anything more inspiring than those who fall and yet still carry on. Crawling over the finish line and still getting a BQ makes #6 my hero.
Katie
#8 dads are the best
Ethan
#14 and #15
melissa
#8!!! Love them all but 8 is my favorite!
Doug Breitling
number 8, great shot of dedicated people
Rhonda
#6!
Diane
Loved them a, but #1!
Lauren
Love them all, but #4! What a special memory.
Laura
#9
I loved them all though, so hard to choose!! This totally made my morning :)
Meg Lurie
Love them all, but #4 made me pick up my phone to call my mom before registering for my next marathon!
Daisy
#8!!
Ashley
5
Sarah
Oh wow – these are all so great! So hard to pick, but my favorite is #8!
Kellye
#8!
Niki
#8!!! Kristen is amazing, running through MS and with her father. What a special time!
Kay
14 :)
Wendy
All!!!! So inspiring!! Thank you runners!But 6 for now.
Kelsey
#5
mckeshaspeirs
1,4,8
Meredith
#8! There were so many great stories though!!
Tricia
#8
Kristin
#4. And now in tears!
Annette@FitnessPerks
Ahhh these are amazing! Number 14!
Cate
13, but I’m partial since I have run that race as well as have raised (and am again) money for Dana Farber
Kaetlin
#13
Johanna B
I cast my vote for #1. The young mother who carried her baby to the finish line. They were all moving but this is my favorite.
Angie N
#1
ashley
#4 these were all so emotional!
Megan Olivetti
#1 or #9…awesome.
or #8…I can’t decide…great stories.
Emily
#1 and #8 both made me tear up
Megan
#8:)
Susan Heyl
#10 GO AMY!!! <3
Jackie
#8-all of them are great stories though!
Kris
I vote for #6. Crawling across the finish line!
Amanda
#10
Maegan
#8!!
Mimi
Can we have an update on how #8, runner with MS, doing? Her story is extremely touching! Love Dads!!
For artistic value, #6 is incredible. Way to go on CRAWLING to the finish line!!
Dean Anderson
Every story made me feel so good about all of the personal effort and trials…I must say #10…I have seen that emotion on so many that have won just by running a race for their friends and families…just run!
Tim
Fourteen
Sally
8!
Lyndsey
These are all so amazing and so hard to choose, but I am going to choose #6. So inspiring!
Amanda L
#8 is such a great story. Congrats to all the runners this was a beautiful post to read.
Erica Tavares
14!
Ashley
#8
Sara Ann
All are so inspiring! But since I have to choose I would say number 11 and 14.
Michelle W
#14. Wow, I’m at work bawling my eyes out! These stories are so inspirational! Thank you for sharing them with us.
Tantra
I honestly, cannot choose one…. every single one of the pictures and stories brought tears to my eyes…. Every runner has a story, every picture tells a story, combine them and it can be pretty intense… best of luck to all of the top stories and they were TRULY all AMAZING!!!
Gretchen
Loved them all and got a little weepy reading them.
#1 however gets my vote as the favorite.
A mothers selfless love…..
Shirley
Very hard to choose but I’ll go with #8!
Stacy
They are all amazing stories. #8 is my favorite.
Megan @ The Skinny-Life
Oh my goodness! These are all great so hard to pick. #9 gets my vote.
Don Ledford
#6, because I know what it’s like, trying to qualify for Boston — a life-time goal for so many runners!
Kristin
Seriously, I need to pick one?!?! Now that I’m all teary eyed from reading them, I will choose number 1. Reminds me of me and my girl!
Erin Pierce
8
Mom
My favorite is #6. I feel like this picture shows how I feel in life so often. I may have to crawl to the finish line but I will get there! Thank you Janae for such an inspiring post and for your example of continually crawling to the finish line no matter what. Love Mom
Kristi Hayes
Voting for Amy!! Way to Go!! :)
Kay @ goaloflosing.com
Number 6!
But they are all great! :)
Kristi Hayes
Oops #10 :)
Kris Hoffman
#10
Kendra
#10! All amazing stories though!
bean
#10!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jamie
All of these stories are so great but I am going to vote for the single mama cause I’ve been there. #9
Kelly
Torn between # 5 and # 6.. I’ll go for #5.
Steph D
Very hard to choose, but… #8!!
Rachel
#1
Tina
Number 10!
Christina
#10 they are all winners! Love the ugly cry and losing all that weight the healthy way pounding it out! Step by step.
Nicole
#4
Lauren @ Will Run for Boston
You have such a hard decision ahead of you! All of these stories are amazing but my vote(s) go to #8 and #14!!
Whitney
14!
Stephanie
#5! :)
Brittany @ read, run, repeat
These were all simply amazing and inspirational and so awesome to read today on the anniversary of the boston marathon bombing. Makes me so proud to be a runner. I’m voting for #8
Chantal
#12
Mike
#8 Fantastic
Carina
5. The Ironman. Wow. Awesome choices, all of them.
Vikki
10!
Leslie @ My Life Begins at 30?
So many great stories!! I don’t know whow you narrowed it down. I couldn’t pick just one. #6 and #8.