I love these runners - spontaneous tribute to a 95-Year-Old WWII Vet

I rarely watch TV while working from home but I make exceptions from time to time and Fat Tuesday is one of them. Gabe and I are getting married in New Orleans in 6 months and there is nothing I love more than seeing NOLA on TV. Anyways, this post has nothing to do with me, NOLA or our wedding....but I did see a video while watching a Fat Tuesday themed Today Show this morning that I had to share.

As a runner, there is nothing I love more than the support of strangers cheering you on. I look back to that magical day in 2012 when I cheered on my Best Friend during her first Half Marathon. I was one of the random strangers with a sign cheering on finishers of the 2012 Princess Half Marathon. I made the decision right then and there that I would become a runner. I look forward to seeing signs that make me laugh, signs that make me cry and giving high fives to children. The encouragement of supporters is so critical for runners.

The video above made me cry like a baby when I saw it. In fact, I am crying now with the video still staring at me while I am typing this. This video was taken from Sundays Pat Tillman Foundation 8K in San Jose, which funds scholarships for military veterans and their spouses. During the event, 40 runners took a detour to shake hands and thank Joe Bell, a 95 year old World War II veteran who was watching the event in uniform.

This was such an awesome moment and I applaud those runners who took a second to appreciate Joe Bell. This is so touching in many ways and you can see from the expression on his face that it was unexpected and meant a lot to him.

This is a reminder to thank supporters who are out there cheering us on!