Traditions are coat racks for our memories.

Traditions are coat racks for our memories.

After the HURT 100, finishers kiss a sign that reads, “We won’t want it to be easy,” and ring a bell.

In a sense, it locks in the toll that was just paid.

The race is already over.
The miles are done.
Physically, nothing changes in that moment.

It’s ceremonial. But it means something.

Every runner arrives at the finish in their own time.
With a completely different experience.
Different struggles. Different lows. Different reasons for showing up.
And yet, we all step into the same shared ritual to mark the end.

That’s the quiet power of tradition.

Tradition doesn't create the meaning.
But it gives the memories somewhere to hang.

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Alexandria Lafci... you said something to this effect years ago about the importance of traditions within a family. It changed my perspective and I've carried it with me ever since.