The morning air was bitter cold, The runners gathered at the line. Three point one long miles ahead, Each one chasing their own best time. Some would lead and some would follow, Some would find a brand-new best. But every heart that came to run Would face its own endurance test. An eighth-grade boy among the varsity, Running with the older crowd. He pushed through every aching mile, This grandma was oh, so proud. "Did it hurt?" his father asked him. "Yes!" he answered, standing tall. "Did you leave it all out there?" "Yes!" And that said it all. She came to run with all her heart, Determined to give her best that day. But injury threatened more than this race, And she knew there was a price to pay. She made the brave decision to stop, To heal so she can come back strong again. She had the courage to protect her future, And the strength to let her healing begin. Courage looks different On every road we run. Sometimes it's giving all we've got Until the race is done. Sometimes it's protecting tomorrow With the choices that we make. It's knowing when to give our all, And when a different road is what we should take. Courage looks different, And there's more than one way to win! And when the finish line was crossed, The work wasn't over yet. He walked it off and stretched his legs, Remembering what runners can't forget. You give your best, then give yourself The care you need to heal. For strength is knowing when to push, And when to honor what you feel. In life, we don't choose the weather, Or every hill along the way. We can't control who's out ahead, Or what challenges we face each day. But we can run our own best race, Without comparing where we've been. And sometimes the greatest victory Is finding strength to rise again. Yes, courage looks different Through every season of our lives. Sometimes it's pushing to the finish, Sometimes it's knowing when to be wise. Sometimes it's giving all you've got, Sometimes it's taking time to mend. It's having faith in your tomorrow, And the strength to start again. Courage looks different, And there's more than one way to win! The finish line can mark your time, But it cannot measure your heart. And whether you run or choose to rest, Tomorrow brings a brand new start. So run with courage, choose with wisdom, Give your best when things get tough. Know when to push and when to rest, And have the courage to say, “Enough.”
