In 2012, My then 54 year old wife decided to run the 100 meter dash in the Subway Commonwealth games.. Although she walked 3 or 4 miles daily, my children and I were concerned about her running in a race. She said even if she came in last, she was going to cross the finish line. She crossed the finish line winning the gold medal in her age division. In 2013 she won the silver medal in the same category.
Recently a 64 year old man from our home town, with health issues had a goal of crossing a much rougher and tougher finish line, and he did. Bill Foreman, is a navy veteran with a bad hip and war injuries. Even so,. he made a choice to compete in the grueling 26.2 mile Boston Marathon.
Foreman’s family, as well as his physical therapist advised against it, because he was due to have hip replacement. therapy. He also had been inured while serving in the navy, having a hand blown off and surgically replace
Foreman was not registered, and had no idea how he would enter the race. He was allowed by police to unofficially walk the Marathon, after the registered runners had already begun. Foreman said he prayed, held on to his cross and began walking.
Foreman had dizzy spells and stopped to rest often.. During the last leg of the race he saw Rob Ordman, and his family who were heading back from post marathon party. They walked with Bill Foreman during his last leg of the race. During the final 3 blocks Foreman was actually leaning on Ordman .
By the time the race was over, Bill foreman’s feet were blistered. He said the lesson learned is that by the grace of God you can do what you are determined to do. No doubt many will scoff at this war veteran, believing he risked life and limb in his venture. Bill Foreman has the victory, because he was determined to cross the finish line and he did.
This reminds e of another much younger man who had a a goal of crossing a finish line. My 5 year old grandson Tyrique ran the 100 meter dash in his age division in 2012. He was competing with children who were on official track teams and had been practicing for a while. Tyrique came in last, but he crossed the finish line.
When the race was over he was beaming as he kept repeating, “I did it, I crossed the finish line. My wife and grandson running the 100 meter dash certainly is not in the same category as the Boston Marathon. Still, just like Bill Foreman, they set goals, had the courage to take the first step and met those goals.
