Find and Focus on Your Cheerleaders

By Christine Murray

Last month, I ran the Pittsburgh Back Half Marathon, a unique race where the start line was the halfway point of the full Pittsburgh Marathon. 

The Pittsburgh Marathon's incredible spectators made the experience unforgettable. The crowd is electric. I'm convinced it's because Pittsburgh is such a big sports town that the spectators are experts in cheering on their hometown team, even if in this case, the hometown team is a massive crowd of runners!

The spectators lined the streets and cheered for all of the race participants, most of whom were complete strangers, offering words of encouragement and support for the course ahead.

As I ran along the miles and miles of spectator support, a thought crossed my mind: "What if everyone cheered each other on like this all the time?" What if, in life, we celebrated each other's journeys and successes with the same enthusiasm?

The experience of having so many spectators cheering on my fellow runners and me was incredible for several reasons. First, it was so encouraging and uplifting to hear people saying things like, “You got this, runners! Stay strong!” The cheers also sometimes offered helpful information, such as when they were yelling, “This is the last big hill! It’s all downhill all the rest of the race!”

Having such incredible crowd support helps racers feel seen. The spectators understood that we were in the middle of a challenging experience, and they were committed to doing what they could to help us have a great experience. 

And, of course, the awesome spectators also added some fun and laughter to the race experience. I saw signs referencing Barbie and Ken, another saying “Go random stranger!,” and even one that said, “I made a sign for you!” These fun and creative signs were a great reminder that while the race was challenging, it’s important to not take it too seriously!

Whether during life’s challenges or an actual race, cheerleaders help us move forward feeling encouraged and supported.

Of course, not everyone is cheering for us in life. But amidst the cheers, I was reminded of the importance of focusing on positivity and encouragement. Most of the time, when people aren’t cheering for us, it’s more about them than it is about us anyway. 

This week, I invite you to take a few moments to reflect on and appreciate those who have cheered you on during the challenges you’ve faced. If you haven’t found the right cheerleaders yet, keep looking and seek out connections that will offer your support. 

And, seek out opportunities to be a cheerleader for others as well. Chances are, the more encouragement that you offer to others, the more encouragement that will come back your way!