Posted by Joey Warner on December 28, 2004 at 20:45:56:
A Marathon!
Why? Many reasons.
Nothing really meaningful to most people.
Pain. Of course.
Mind Boggling! Unreal contemplation.
Out of one's Box! Temporarily.
Physical. The body is capable.
Mental. Come on now!!! What can you really think about for 26.2 miles?
Spiritual? This is personal. The gift is real. The glory is for HIM!
It is a self confidence thing when one can lay it all out on the course with hope that when its (almost)over, one can put it all back together.
It is time to tackle something straight up and grab the bull by the horns.
Fear. It gets scary. It is a terrible adventure against a Monstrous beast. One can run but one can't hide.
Planning - Without a plan, one has nothing but the flesh. The muscles and bones get exhausted, tired and sluggish.
I have so much farther to go.
Quit, stop, give-up, slow down, walk, anticipate, rest, give-in to the temptation, question oneself over and over why? why? One thought one loves running. Why does one allow oneself to get torn down like this?
*Keep stepping. The legs are logs but continue to drag them along.
*Don't believe people when they say you look strong.
*Keep going.
*One can get there! Maybe not according to the original plan, but have back-up alternatives, and when everything fails, try so hard to create something to make it. It WILL end and it will be over.
Take it on the chin, in the rear, and sacrifice the body. One really looks bad but one is in the midst of the battle.
Be a good soldier but don't fight it.
Marathoners have to imitate the way Jesus lives. He was the same yesterday, today and forever. The marathon does not change either.
*************************************************************************
I have attempted 12 marathons and dropped out of one. Of the hundreds of goals running and marathons offer, the most important goal I have for Sunday is to finish.
THE MOST ACCURATE MOTTO IN THE MARATHON IS THAT "IT IS NEVER OVER UNTIL IT IS OVER."
My secondary goal is to run 2:59:59 which would give me double digits for sub 3 hour completions.
ANYTHING can happen.
Mile 1
Believe
Mile 2
Be peaceful
Mile 3
Find strength
Mile 4
Visualize, self confidence, inner strength.
Mile 5
Have Patience
Mile 6
Create Energy
Mile 7
Be Happy, smile.
Mile 8
Don't worry, Stay loose.
Mile 9
Life is Good.
Mile 10
Positive thoughts. (Welcome to the Dauphin St. incline)
Mile 11
Nothing is negative. Realize there is still 15 more miles!
Mile 12
Try to get comfortable.
Mile 13
Be careful on the University downhill. The heart is ok.
Mile 14
Rewind the fist hour and a half and play it back. What else is there to do?
Mile 15
Make an assessment of the body as you enter Swamp Loop. A total inspection of the lungs, heart, legs, arms, feet and all the rest.
Mile 16
Think. Check out the mind and the brain. 10 more miles.
Mile 17
This is Municipal Park. Appreciate Nature. God created te beauty.
Mile 18
Pray. Take it easy on Firetruck hill. The heart wants to beat faster as you climb. Regulate it. Stay calm.
Mile 19
Be cool through Springhill and on the College campus.
Mile 20
St. Paul's is a great school. This is gravity fall. The legs will take a pounding with the transition.
Mile 21
Things are changing.
Mile 22
Have Faith. Pray. Shuffle.
Mile 23
Keep Moving.
Mile 24.
Pray some more. Think about the beginning of the marathon, (if you can?)
Make yourself believe, it is a choice.
Mile 25
Don't stop. Keep Going. CRY, if needed.
Mile 26.
It can be done. Almost there. It ain't over until it is over.
Run, walk - If you are not already. Just make it.
It can be done!
Good Luck,
Your running friend,
Joey