The Runner Among Us

So - you may have read (from Laura's blog) - that she just finished her 2nd marathon.  It was seriously incredible.

I have never, ever understood or even had the remotest desire to run a marathon.  42 kilometers is a LONG FREAKING WAY!!!!!  There is a point driving back from Saskatoon to Calgary where you can see the skyline faintly in the distance, and even though you are still forever away, you can make out buildings.  At this point, there is a sign that says: "Calgary city centre - 42km".  I think of a marathon every single time I see that sign.  And it makes me want to barf to think my own feet would propel me that far in just a few measly hours!  Sure, if I had a week, maybe...  But in one day?!?!  All at once?!?!?  Without stopping???


Not a chance. 

But then I was watching "The Biggest Loser" (seriously love that show, even if it does make me feel guilty for watching it while I am eating a large bowl of ice cream), and they were training for a marathon.  It dawned on me that marathons are just as much about mental fortitude as it is about strength and endurance.  To mentally commit to the task, plan, prepare and persevere through the HOURS of boredom is probably just as tough as the physical act of moving your body forward.  Well, it might not be for some people, but it definitely would be for me.

I went to watch Laura run and it was awesome!!!!  She worked so hard and pushed and trained and was rewarded with accomplishing an incredible goal.  More than anything, I was so dang proud of her for doing what would be an impossible thing for me.  We saw her 3 times, and at the last I ran a short ways with her (uphill, just after I scarfed down a granola bar and in rain boots.  It was only a short way before I had to veer off to the bushes and PUKE.  Captain Cardio - to the rescue!!  Yep - my marathon experience of 200 feet was AWESOME!!)

Which brings me back to my original point.  I still don't ever want to run a marathon.  Ever.  But I feel like at least now I get what drives people and makes them want to do such an insane thing.  And all the power to them.  Way to go Laura - you are a machine!!