“The few of us that do are the envy of the many that watch.“ - Jim Rohn

I was in Spin class; listening to loud music for inspiration and an instructor yelling “put more tension on the bike!” “But it won’t go any higher!” I was bored. Things are going to change. Sure, I would miss hearing about “now I can go out and drink margaritas and eat all the dessert because I worked out sooo hard!!” I felt running would be my next challenge.

Don’t be afraid to make decisions

If you write, you're a writer. If you give a speech you’re a speaker. If you run, you're a runner. You don't need to seek approval.

Preparation

The most important pieces of equipment in running are running shoes and socks. Everything else is optional. Be ready. You are not used to the pounding on your feet. The first thing that hurts are cracked heels. It will be painful and bleed, but don’t quit.  Your shins will hurt. They are not used to the extra force of impact from running. Your bones in your feet and ankles will hurt as well. I was fortunate not to have any knee problems. I have had minor knee pain from running but I backed off on rest days.

Ignore the Naysayers

You ever run into someone who has a negative outlook? I walk into work on Monday with a slight limp because I have a sore foot. My co-worker says to me “Why are you limping?” I said “I ran 10 miles this weekend and I am a little sore”. He replied “Don’t you know that running is bad for your knees? “ “Don’t you know that running is the worst exercise for your body?”

Perseverance

I admit running is no fun. Different things hurt as you get better. I actually enjoy running 20 miles a week. I ran for 2 years with the Annapolis Striders. I competed in several races, 5Ks 10Ks even a few half’s. The marathon looked within reach. I would train as I normally would but longer. How bad could it be? The marathon–I was about to find out–is an entirely different race. It is not 2 half marathons back to back. It’s a marathon! Imagine driving 26 miles from home and how long it takes; now visualize running back! That’s a marathon. No matter how well you train, marathons are unpredictable. Race day could go perfect or your legs give out as you battle wind, cold, rain, heat, or sun.

Setting Goals

You must set goals in life and it is no different with this: Set a reach goal, a realistic goal, and have a plan B. I set my marathon time goals based on my current pace and visualized what action I would take if I had to go to plan B. A reach goal is always something you should strive for. You may not reach this goal but the purpose is to raise the bar for better performance.

Race Day

It is a cold wintry day in late March. I have on my jacket, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, a hat, and pants. The veterans are all under-dressed; shorts, a long-sleeved shirt, hat and gloves and shivering. Running with frozen hands is no fun I highly recommend running with gloves. But they are optional.

The first half is uneventful. I am running at a 10-minute pace. I stopped at all water stops taking gel packs. Life is good. As the race progressed, what was cold is now turning into a heat wave; a 20 degree rise in temperature...from 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  I begin shedding clothes. I am sweating profusely. My jacket is tied around my waist slowing me down. Things are still awesome; plenty of energy and on pace. ETA 4 and 1/2 hours. Mile 13, Mile 14, Mile 15. No problem. No reach goal but the realistic goal is still doable.

It’s not a matter of “if” you hit the wall, but when.

Elite marathoners push their wall well beyond Mile 26.2. Mere Mortals will 'hit' the wall well before. Mile 16 was my wall. I feel a tweak in my quads. First my right quad then my left. Have you ever lifted weights and found you could lift no more? Imagine your legs. I decided to walk and let my quads rest then start running again. Goals got thrown out the window. Time for plan B. Only 10 miles left!

Push through

Mile 16 turned into Mile 17, Mile 18, and Mile 19. The quads are still fatigued, so I thought, “Let’s try run walk.” walk walk run. It's a slight uphill.  75% of all runners only did the 1/2. It is very lonely. Only a few runners are out on the trail.

Appreciate your supporters

Mile 19 – My cousin shows up on his bike “Hey Dave how’s it going? Been walking much? You do know this is a race?” I replied “it’s going.” He ran a marathon a few years earlier in 6 hours. We have a sibling rivalry even though we are cousins. He hangs out with me for a mile continuing giving me lots of encouragement. “You got 6 miles of walking left good luck!” Then he bikes off to the finish. "Gee Thanks!!" Alright, I have to beat 6 hours!

Believe in yourself

Mile 20 is the Turnaround and downhill. I came this far, only 6 miles left. I finally make it to mile 26 I am dead tired. The finish line is in sight. He could go all the way! I run the last 2 tenths. I finished in just under 6 hours. 26.2 miles beating my cousin.

The aftermath

I walked slowly to my car. Getting in is easy. I drive home. Getting out is very hard. As I have become a weary 90-year-old. I crawl up 3 flights of stairs to reach the shower. I peeled off all my sweat-stained clothes. Things are burning; ouch, ouch, ouch, blisters, chafing, inner thigh rash, a black toenail, sore back, shoulders, and arms. Some sunburn. I remove the Band-Aids. I take a 1/2 hour shower, crawled into bed, and slept.

What a marathon has taught me:

• Don’t be afraid to make decisions.
• Set goals and have a plan B.
• Appreciate your supporters.
• Believe in yourself
• Ignore the naysayers.
• And most importantly Marathons are long.

If I had quit, no one would have faulted me. Only 1/2 of 1 percent of all Americans have ever competed in one.

“The few of us that do are the envy of the many that watch. “ Are you watching or are you doing?