21.1km & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

It was Sunday morning, and the rain started spitting down at the starting line. In a matter of seconds, I would be off to attempt a once thought to impossible feat, to complete a half-marathon, 21.1km.

Let’s rewind. Growing up I was a chubby kid and not very athletic.   I had tried to play organized sports with limited success and at 16, I hung up the skates in my final season of ice hockey. I took great pride in always being the second worst person on the team. I could always look back and be content that at least I wasn’t last. Perhaps that adage has stayed with me during my life. I don’t mind being bad at something; I just don’t want to be the worst. 

By the time I was thirty, I was probably in the worst shape of my life; thirty pounds overweight, with no sense of proper diet and physical activity. It was a disaster waiting to happen.   But when the prospect of having to chase after two and now three Feferman boys presented itself, I made the decision to actively make a change. 

 I found running. Well, running found me. Inspired by so many friends and so many inspiring stories of people who went from couch to 5km or from chemo to 10km, I decided to lace up. I ran my first 5k on St. Patty’s day 2015 and I was hooked. 

I run by the sign that says 11km and I start to panic. “What am I doing, how can I possibly run another hour straight!?” It’s that point in a run, which usually happens just past the half way point where you have to make a decision. Either bow out now and start thinking of excuses, or shut up and keep going. 

I focus on my breathing, taking long, slow breaths to avoid cramping. I think about my kids and wife, smiling and cheering me on. I think about my adversaries, and the obstacles I’ve faced along the way. I picture them just slightly in front of me and take a long powerful stride and pass them. 

The streets are lined with people, cheering everyone on and the energy is electric. In my final stretch I get the song “One of These Days” by the Foo Fighters. I close my eyes and time slows down.

“One of these days the ground will drop out from beneath your feet

One of these days your heart will stop and play its final beat”

For 21km I’ve pushed my body to its limit. And with every step there was a chance that step could be my last, and when it wasn’t, it powered me to take another, and another and another. 

The finish line was in sight and all I could keep telling me myself is “Savour this moment!” I crossed the finish line in 2:12.54, a decent time for a first half-marathon but the time was immaterial. The real prize is being present in the moment, living in the here and now and taking every step like it could be your last. I make the mistake all too often of spending too much time on things that slowly kill me and not enough on the things that make me feel alive.

I hope this post will inspire you, like many others have inspired me to take your health, wellness and fitness seriously by finding a meaningful outlet to achieve your goals. 

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The journey doesn’t stop here and I’m off to race Around the Bay 30km in March. Follow 5KFef on Instagram