Support

When running in a race, nothing feels better or motivates more than a familiar face. After whizzing by thousands of strange faces, the comfort of a familiar face is like feeling a shower of cold water in the middle of a long desert trek. Except it's better. Because when someone shows up to support a friend or an acquaintance in a race, it is a demonstration of love, the brotherly kind. The supporter may not think of it this way, but it is. It's one of those rare social situations where just showing up can be seen as an overwhelmingly kind gesture in the eyes of the one you're showing up for. Unexpected familiar spectators are even more refreshing.

A funeral is the most accurate experience to which I can compare the feeling. If you've ever been in the unfortunate position of processing out behind the casket of a family member or friend and seen a surprise, familiar face in a pew, you know what I'm talking about. In a moment of desperation, you suddenly feel so so gratious to that person for coming. That person makes a gesture that at its simplest says, "I recognize you" in a ridiculously sincere way. Spotting a friend during a race is heaven to me.