The Spirit of the Marathon
“Given the level of my condition, this was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
- Lance Armstrong, on completing his first marathon in 2006“You triumph over adversity”
- Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston marathon.“I think I can pretty much do anything”
- First time marathoner.
Tomorrow, I will come to appreciate the meaning of the words above as I join the ranks of 1% of the human population who run a marathon.
I have been training for five months, running for three years. It’s become more than a lifestyle but a passion. Having attempted marathon training last year and suffered injury midway in, I’d argue that all I’ve done is the very minimum investment to take on this formidable challenge. Similar to my work ethic (a fundamental belief in paying one’s dues), I feel very strongly that investment in proper training shows respect for the distance, the sport and other runners. Anything less is dangerous, foolhardy and arrogant. Just look at Lance Amstrong. If it could humble him, it can humble anyone. I respect him for admitting it.
Anyone will tell you that beyond the training, it’s all mental.
This is all my stuff for tomorrow … including a few inspirations. The one thing that isn’t pictured is motivation. That’s something I’ll experience tomorrow.
I’m off to do my last scheduled pre-race run: 3K. After that, I’ll eat a small carbo dinner and attempt to go to sleep by 9:30. A lot of runners look to sources of inspiration prior to the marathon. For me, it’s Shambhala: The sacred path of the warrior. This book, a primer on secular Buddhist practice, is about cultivating a spirit of fearlessness, humility and gentleness - all of which inspire true inner strength. The rest is up to my mind and body.
Further reading:
CBC In-depth: the marathon
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