A Humbly Courageous Team

Hello! Welcome to a new week at Humbly Courageous. I am glad you are here!

Last Saturday, my husband and I completed our first half marathon together at the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. It feels strange to say half marathon, since we have done five full marathons together all over the country, and even one in Berlin.

This one was special. Joined by our two sons, we crossed our first family finish line. In addition, we had a team of people who signed up to run under team Humbly Courageous for our “hometown” half marathon.

It was the perfect day for a run. Sunny, no wind, and a chill in the air. Great for the runners, and riders like me. The last time we ran the Indy Monumental I wore full rain gear. I was especially grateful for this beautiful day!

Along with our team of runners, we had many who reached out to ask if they could help in some way. We had so many great cheerleaders along the course, which just makes it that much more special. Hearing people yell, “Go Shinnemans” and “Go Team Humbly Courageous” as we ran through the streets of Indy, was so encouraging to us.

With my husband in his normal position, pushing our duo bike, our sons ran on either side of us. Along the way, there were many lumps in my throat and attempts to hold back the emotion I felt from the image of this.

All the worry I ever had about being a disabled mom, vanished in that moment.

My disability does not drive us apart; it brings us closer. It teaches us all valuable life lessons that not everyone has a chance to learn. In many ways, we are fortunate.

We knew from the time we crossed the finish line with our oldest son in New York City a few years ago, that a future goal was to cross a finish line as a family of four.

It was great to run together and encourage each other along the way. Thankfully, they were all feeling great and ran a steady pace they could all match.

With over 40 teammates, there was no shortage of Humbly Courageous team shirts along the course that day. Seeing everyone in shirts designed by my oldest son, to resemble my blog, took my breath away.

From an idea that popped into my head as I laid in bed many years ago, Humbly Courageous started out as a weekly blog post that few read. If only I knew then, what this could really be.

It just so happened that the day of the race, was also the seven-year anniversary of my diagnosis day. A day I waited forty-four years for. A day I celebrate each year. Seeing all those team jerseys on the anniversary of my diagnosis day seemed serendipitous.

I could not think of a more special of a way to celebrate, than to cross our first finish line together as a family of four, surrounded by loving souls who supported us so well.

The team at CNO Financial Group, who sponsors the marathon, embraced us and gave us an opportunity to share our story. From speaking at their headquarters last month, to joining them in their tent after the race, it all just fell into place so beautifully.

You never know how one tiny seed is going to grow.

Watching Humbly Courageous grow, is one of the greatest joys of my life. There is so much more yet to come. This is just the start. I can feel it growing.

One of my favorite Bible verses is, Hebrews 12:1-3. “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”