I ran my 7th marathon in Columbus Ohio a couple weeks ago on October 21st.  My co-worker once asked me, “Hey Busch, why ain’t you thin”…Well, he’s right, “I isn’t thin,” so I run in the heavyweight division called Clydesdales or Cruiser depending on the race.  Due to my stature and my obnoxious t-shirt, I have a lot of people cheer for me along the marathon route.

You see, I put my name on my running shirt with this glittery holographic tape that was on a shelf in Trophy Awards when my parents bought the tiny company in 1984.  Yes, this tape is ugly…in a flashy way.  Still, it does the job.  Between my stature and my glittery 1970’s decorative trophy tape, I hear my name called out several hundred times during the 26.2 mile route…Go Tom! Keep it going Tom…you can do this!  I think you get the picture. 

I know this sounds weird, but during every marathon I’ve run, I have to hold back this instinctive desire to tear-up.  Tear-up as in eyes welling with tears…not tear-up as to describe my muscle tissue and the skin ripping on the inside of my legs and toes.  Why, after 7 marathons, do I feel so emotional when people call my name?  Well, I think it has a lot to do with trying to accomplish a difficult task combined with an overflow of gratitude for all the spectators who try to help me along the way.   

I have a good customer, Dan Dwyer, and he has told me several stories of his recipients getting “emotional” during their award presentation.  He contributes this “emotional” outpouring to the selection of the award piece and presenting it with the perfect message.  Dan and I work hard on our award projects to make sure his recipients feel special, appreciated, and encouraged.  

I think these recipients deal with the same impulse I have during a race.  It is the joy of being recognized for your hard work.  This makes your trials, frustrations, and pain seem worthwhile.  It also encourages you to keep running, keep trying, and persevere through the upcoming difficulties.  There is positive power in recognition and gratitude.  Perhaps you should consider this if you know someone who could use some encouragement and appreciation along this race of life.

I am already looking forward to my next marathon…and I thank all those spectators along the Columbus Marathon route who saw my shirt and stature and yelled…”Go Tom!”  My time was 3:46:28…not bad for a 200-pound Clydesdale with a lot of encouragement along the way.

For great recognition ideas, please click on the links below

Acrylic Awards
Crystal Awards
Plaques

To see our entire virtual showroom, go to our website www.TrophyAwards.com

FREE Bonus Gift
I woud like to send you a FREE personlaized lasered pen!
Just send me an email at tom@trophyawards.com saying "Tom, send my FREE pen!"
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Have a great day!
Tom