13 1/2 years ago, I sat in a hotel room watching a televised marathon for the first time. Until this moment, I didn't even know what a marathon was. I was astounded to learn that a marathon is 26.2 miles, and even more amazed that people can actually complete them. I watched the runners cross the finish line. Some of them were vertical, some were not. However, all of them had the same look of tired, sweat washed accomplishment written across their faces. I was, in a word, amazed. Something deep inside me was stirring. I wanted to feel what they were feeling.
In passing, I mentioned to my husband that I might like to run a marathon. He chuckled and reminded me that I don't run. In my mind I thought this was an insignificant detail. After all, I didn't run, but that didn't mean that I couldn't run! He also said that people who run marathons train their entire lives to be able to do so. People who run marathons are well conditioned athletes, not novice runners. Since I was already 20 years old, he thought that I had probably missed the boat on this one. I remember vividly him saying, "That is just something you will never be able to do." He didn't think not being able to run a marathon was that big of a deal. After all, he had run cross country in high school, and he didn't think that he could ever run one either. He has since learned that he can.
This was not the first time I have had someone tell me that I am incapable of accomplishing something. Whenever that happens to me, it's like I have had a switch flipped. My defiant, high spirited self says, "Oh yeah? You just watch me!" Over the next few weeks I barraged him with questions about running. I wanted to know everything. So, it is safe to say that marathons were officially on my radar.
I called everyone I knew who had anything to do with running and asked them for all the details they could muster. My mind was set. Someday, at some point, I would run a marathon. Not to prove my husband wrong, not to win, not to even finish with a 'respectable time.' However tempting it may be, I can't accomplish this feat for the sake of others. I have to run it for me. I have to run it to prove to myself that I can go further than I ever thought possible. I decided it way back then. I was someday going to be a "marathoner."
True to my decision, a week later I bought some running shoes. Having never actually gone for a run, I had no idea what I was doing. I sprinted to the end of our block. I couldn't breathe. My muscles were screaming at me to stop and so I did. I spent the next few weeks sporadically sprinting off and on around my neighborhood. There was no doubt in my mind, that I really sucked at running. The biggest problem is that I had no idea what I was doing. I thought that running was about sprinting until you could go no further. I couldn't imagine sprinting for an entire block let alone 26 miles! So, after a few weeks, I set running on the back burner. Although, I still wanted to run a marathon someday.
A couple years later I convinced my husband to show me the proper way to run. He taught me about setting a pace, posture, and breathing. I ran, and to my own shock, completed a 5K. Honestly, it felt like a marathon. I had a tough time, but I did finish it. Several years later I ran a half marathon. Again, it was rough, but I finished. I am not a good runner. In fact, I don't even really consider myself to be a runner at all. I am someone who aspires to be a runner.
Over the past years I have repeatedly flirted with the idea of running a marathon. I purchased the book, "The Non-Runners Marathon Trainer." I've since supported my husband as he has run two marathons. (I read the book, he ran the marathon.) I hope that is not a metaphor for our lives! In my defense, I have run several 5K's with my daughter, although I know that is nothing compared to 26.2 miles.
A couple weeks ago I started my preliminary training. I am 7 months away from my first marathon. I am only running a couple miles right now and it is slow! Although it feels like it will never happen, I know that I can train up to 13 miles, because I've been there before. Everything beyond 13 is uncharted waters. So, long story short, the time is here. I AM RUNNING A MARATHON!!!
This blog is a tribute to my adventure. I will be posting anything and everything that is on my mind during this process. I welcome support, advice, experience, and information from others. There have to be people like me in the world. People who just want to taste the flavor of success as they cross the finish line. I need support in this. I'm not relying on it, but it sure would help. So, if you feel inclined, support away!
**As a side note: If you're a creep or a perv and you use profanity or derogatory comments on this blog, I will DELETE you. Muah ha ha!** :)
