Marathon n. any long and arduous undertaking; a footrace of 26 miles 385 yards; a battle in 490 BC in which the Athenians and their allies defeated the Persians
Half-marathon – the thing that marathoners call a jog
Conviction n: an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
This is for those that spent the last five months pounding the pavement in the cold winter and the so-so spring weather only to be greeted with crazy, harsh winds (who knows where the hell they came from). This is for those that had to contend with bleeding nipples or chafing in other lovely places, or had the wrong shoes, the wrong shirt or those pesky shorts that kept creeping up. Those who endured knee pains, hip pains, and any/all pains. Those who gave up smoking, gave up red meat, and gave up all that used to be fun.
This is for those that have voluntarily entered the cultdom.
Let’s face it – the majority of the population can’t get off the couch because we might miss the pivotal moment in Prison Break (clearly he and his cronies will be breaking out of prison…hence the name of the show) much less log in 35 – 100km of running/week for nothing more then personal glory.
And that’s what running is…personal – it’s euphoric…and let’s be honest…you get bragging rights.
I’ve generally been on the side of the runners (as a half marathoner) but this time I was a spectator and it was a crazy place to be and I speak for all my riff raff spectators…craning our necks, praying to all of the gods, getting nauseous as the clock ticks closer to that pivotal time and shouting in jubilation when one of our own came into sight. It was if we were running the race (clearly we’re not…it’s just a cliché...runners don’t get upset).
This is the first time that for a race of this magnitude I was a spectator and I wish I wasn’t…I wish I had had the dedication to be a part of it – b/c it is an elite crowd and damn it I want back in.
Take solace in what you done…what you’ve accomplished…and if you want to wallow in your defeat do it b/c you can…or bask in your glory…either way – we all know the truth…you'll be back for more…
now ode to my riffraff…
* Brother of Tapio (18/102) – arms raised…need we say more
* BF #2 (65/149) – hmmm results could be indicative of overexcitement re: what I promised next year…Teen where’s my $100…
* Roxybaker (29/90)– don’t shed another tear – it’ll happen and besides you can run w/ the boys baby…that’s something on its own...
* Eduardo (23/53) – the consummate gentleman...outwardly smiling without a hair out of place...inwardly…does anyone know??
* BF #1 (56/111)– better then sex eh? Let’s go another round…
* Neil – (149/288) - 17 minutes baby...
* Dave – (188/288) – back on the plan? 21.1…30…42.2...
* LAD – (389/463) - you did it on your own…have faith.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
ode to the runners...
“Most people, maybe 80 percent of people, aren’t physically designed to undertake such a task (marathon). It’s more than (just) 26 miles of repeated stress, which is brutal."
..to the above statement i say "bite - me"...this is homage to ANYONE that has attempted to run a marathon and I’ll further extend it to anyone that has attempted to run half of a marathon. This is not for any walkers or for anyone that bikes, roller blades, skips or even races 10 km. You can’t give respect in the same way – I don’t care what you say.
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2 comments:
My father runs half-marathons- runners truely are the athletically elite. I've always really idolized the Ironman Triathalon contestants. Even having the guts to train is more than most can say. Sadly, the only running I do anymore is the kind to get away from things chasing me.
I salute you! Being a spectator is harder emotionally than the running part. I was only watching for a little while and my stomach was doing backflips as the minutes were ticking by.
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