Once upon a time, there was
this article. This article was not very nice and didn't make people feel very good inside. In fact, it made people doubt weeks, months of training and ask themselves if they should even be running.
So, this blog post will be the nice feel good antidote to that not very nice article because this is about Running and Runners. And if there is anything I can say about this running community I have grown to love, it is that they are the nicest and most welcoming people I have ever met. Except for maybe the author of THE article.
1. Oprah: Completion v. Competition
I would like to start out by saying this article about Oprah appeared in Runner's World, the same publication behind Zelle and THAT article. But let's look at the above sentiment...I think Oprah is fantastic for bringing running (and READING for that matter) to the masses. She had women everywhere looking at each other thinking, "Oprah Did It, So Can I!"
So this idea that somehow completing a Marathon without *GASP* winning or at Olympic record speed is not good enough is crap! How is completing 26.2 miles not the most amazing thing in the world? Or at least one of the most? Seriously people...if I said, your nearest grocery store is 26.2 miles away, wouldn't you grumble about it? Completion is HUGE!
For me, I want to run a marathon to prove to myself that I CAN and I WILL complete a MARATHON. I don't care if I am the fastest or the slowest. My only goal is to cross the finish line on my own two feet and that to me is WINNING!
2. The Me-Me-Me Show
Yes. I LOVE taking pictures of my workouts. I like taking pictures of my beautiful city and my Garmin and my shoes and my Spandits and my visors and my OrangeMud pack and my beautiful BRFs and my socks and the sunrise and the sunset. And you know what? Most of you do too! And you know why? Because it makes it real. Because it allows you to think, just like with Oprah, "If Smitha can do it, I CAN too!"
And you know why else? For me! I want to document every second of this sport that has given me new life. I want to look back at these pictures and say, "Hey! I did 18.3 miles that day!" Or that was my very first Runch. These pictures are like my scrapbook to a better me and why not share it with the world? Perhaps someone will look at them and say, "Maybe I can run a 5K!"
And to call me a Hobby Marathoner is a slap in the face. I have two beautiful children, a wonderful husband, an amazing professional full time (outside the home) career but I make time. I work my ass off every week to fit my runs in. I am proud of my marathon training! It is a part of me and my identity!
3. "Nothing to Prove"
Wrong! For every single person who has always believed in me, I have to prove them right. And for every single person who thought this would be a passing fad, I have to prove them wrong. The Marathon is a beast and I want to conquer it. Mentally and Physically, it will be one of the toughest challenges I will face and I want to prove it to MYSELF that I CAN and I WILL. Every second of self doubt I have had throughout this training will be silenced once and for all after crossing that finish line. So say what you will mean article, I have everything to prove!
4. Knees and Heart
Why are we still even talking about this? Of course running is good for your heart. It is cardio right? I am no doctor and I am no scientist but I do know the effects it has had on me. Both mentally and physically. I feel that at the ripe old age of 37, I am in the best shape of my life. No doubt. Mentally, I am calmer and more centered. Physically, I have muscles in places you wouldn't believe. That's not to say I never have soreness or pain. We know that's not true but it could be worse.
And as far as the knees, your guess is as good as mine. This article says no, it may even be beneficial.
5. The Joys of Moderation
What does this even mean? The author of the article seemed to imply that because she wants to run for a long time, she isn't going to run now. Say what? Wouldn't you want to run now when you are in the peak of fitness to ensure you can cross that finish line? Why wait? Things change. Life changes. Seize the Day and all of that!
It was my intention to check running a Marathon off my Bucket List before I turned 40 but I took an honest look at myself and said, "I am as ready as I will ever be!" So I decided to pull the trigger 3 years early. Who knows? Maybe the Marathon is the moderation. Maybe I have an Ultra in my future. What would you say to me then?
If you train smart and run smart now, you can run for many many years and many many more miles!
So my five reasons for deciding to run a Marathon are Completion, The Me Me Me Show (Inspiration and Record Keeping), Everything to Prove, for my Knees & my Heart and to Seize the Day!
So there you have it. 5 reasons why I am running the Marathon inspired by THAT article. I welcome the dialogue. Why would you or wouldn't you run a marathon?
Whatever you choose to do, as always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom