
There are moments that define us, moments that stretch us beyond what we thought possible, and moments that connect us to something much larger than ourselves. My recent experience participating in the Uniformed Division of the Boston Marathon Tough Ruck—and later cheering on our incredible Coach Delaine as she ran the Boston Marathon for 50 Legs—provided all three.
I wanted to share some reflections and lessons from this powerful weekend, as they mirror so much of what we believe about fitness and community here at our gym.
Remembering Those Who Served
The Tough Ruck isn’t just another endurance event. It’s a sacred journey of remembrance. I rucked in my uniform carrying weighted gear in honor of A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson, the first female service member to die in the War on Terror on September 28th, 2005.

What struck me most powerfully during the ruck was witnessing Gold Star families—those who have lost loved ones in military service—staffing hydration stations, offering nourishment to those of us marching in memory of their family members and others. Their strength, generosity, and grace in the face of unimaginable loss was humbling beyond words.
In those moments of physical challenge, with weight on my back and miles ahead, I realized something profound: remembrance is not passive. It’s active. It requires effort. It demands that we carry something—whether physically or emotionally—to honor those who carried so much for us.
The Weight of Generational Loss
Around mile 18, as my hips screamed and blisters stabbed with each step, something shifted inside me. I found myself picking up pace, almost embracing the pain. Why? Because this pain was temporary—a choice I made—while the void left by fallen service members is permanent and unchosen.
The loss of these young Airmen, Marines, and Soldiers ripples across generations. It’s not just about who they were, but who they never got to become. Children never born. Grandchildren never held. Family trees with branches suddenly cut short. As I pushed through my discomfort, I thought about those who would give anything to feel this pain if it meant having their loved ones cheering them on rather than being memorialized at aid stations.
Pain became purpose. Each step a privilege denied to those we remember.
Everyone Needs Encouragement

Throughout the ruck, I had the privilege of crossing paths multiple times with the race leaders—young active duty service members in full uniform carrying 65-pound rucks while RUNNING. Seriously, awe-inspiring.
In my dated early 90s camouflage, I was clearly identifiable as a “seasoned” veteran. As they passed, I’d call out encouragement: “Let’s go, Marine!” “Keep pushing, Soldier!” And my favorite for the active duty women: “Ladies… Let’s go! Hell yeah!”

What struck me was how quickly their steely military bearing—that focused, intimidating, all-business expression—would transform into wide, toothy grins and enthusiastic fist pumps. Even the most disciplined, elite soldiers need encouragement. No one is immune to the power of someone believing in them and saying it out loud.
I see this every day in our gym. The member who thinks they can’t do another rep until their workout partner says they can. The newcomer who finds courage from a coach who sees potential they don’t yet recognize in themselves. We are all strengthened by each other’s belief.
The Power of Community Support

The most beautiful surprise of this journey was watching several of our own gym members—who aren’t veterans—train for months and join the Tough Ruck in remembrance of the fallen. In fact, they were the ones who initially asked me to participate.
One member in particular stands out. She’s had arguably the most difficult year of her life and barely had time to train. She showed up with the humble attitude of “I’ll just enjoy being with you all and walk as long as I can before heading home.” Instead, she completed the entire 26.2 miles, lifting our entire team’s spirits along the way. Her presence was a reminder that sometimes the person who thinks they need the most support ends up being the one giving it to others.
The Definition of Grit

Around mile 22, I spotted a couple ahead wearing full firefighter gear—tanks included. The husband was leaning over, vomiting. I caught up and asked if I could help. He described the chafing between his legs as “hamburger” and had salt crusted across his face from hours of sweating in the heat.
His response? “No thanks, I’m almost finished.”
Almost finished. With 4.2 miles left. In 80-degree heat. In full sun. In complete firefighter gear. Battling nausea and vomiting and pain most of us can’t imagine.
If you want to know the definition of grit, it’s believing you’re “almost there” when most would have quit hours ago. It’s continuing to move forward when every signal in your body is begging you to stop.
Coach Delaine and 50 Legs

After completing my ruck, I transitioned to spectator mode to cheer on Coach Delaine as she tackled the Boston Marathon supporting 50 Legs, our gym’s favorite charity that provides prosthetics to those who cannot afford them. All…free. Of. charge. Delaine trains one of our members who lost both her legs in the Boston Marathon bombing, which makes this cause deeply personal to our gym community.
What makes this story even more remarkable? Delaine wasn’t a runner until after last year’s marathon. She took a few casual jogs and began saying out loud that she might like to run the marathon for 50 Legs. That tentative “maybe” transformed into a year of dedicated training that culminated in her raising over $12,000 for the charity.
Standing on the sidelines, Sara and I watched Delaine fly by at several points on the course. The pure joy on her face was infectious—even more special considering it was her actual birthday! With friends and family cheering her on throughout the route, she embodied everything we stand for—resilience, purpose, and using our physical abilities to make a difference in others’ lives.
Lessons That Translate to Everyday Fitness
These experiences reinforced so many principles that guide our philosophy on wellness:
- Purpose transforms physical challenges. When you’re rucking for someone who gave everything or running for those who can’t, every step has meaning. The same applies to our workouts—when we connect our fitness to something greater than appearance or numbers, motivation deepens.
- Modification isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom. During both the ruck and marathon, I observed people adapting their approach based on injuries, conditions, and capabilities—yet still completing the journey. This perfectly aligns with our philosophy that modifications aren’t “easier” but smarter ways to protect your body while working toward the same goal.
- The mind gives out before the body. At mile 18 of my ruck, everything hurt. But remembering who I was marching for, A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson, pushed me forward. Our members experience this same mental breakthrough when they push through their perceived limitations in class.
- Community makes the impossible possible. Neither the ruck nor the marathon would be achievable for most participants without the support of others. This is the magic we create in our group training environment—the collective energy that helps you find your second wind.
- Transformation happens one step at a time. Coach Delaine went from “not a runner” to Boston Marathon finisher in just one year. Your fitness journey follows the same principle—consistent effort over time leads to remarkable change.
A Personal Challenge
As I watched people of all ages, body types, and abilities participate in these events, I couldn’t help but think of many of our members (and potential members) who doubt their capability to try something challenging.
If you’ve been holding back from pushing your limits—whether it’s signing up for that first 5K, trying our classes, or simply walking through our doors for the first time—remember this: every person I saw crossing those finish lines was once a beginner too. They once had the same doubts you might have now.
The difference is they showed up anyway. And that has made all the difference.
We are here to help you find your version of the journey—one that honors your body’s needs while still challenging you to grow stronger. Because everyone deserves to experience the profound sense of accomplishment that comes from doing something you once thought impossible.
Come talk to us about finding your finish line. We’ll help you get there, one step at a time!