Why Run a Marathon?

Monday, 14 June 2010 14:15

Why Run a Marathon? ^Featured

Written by Edna Alford

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My husband has been asking “Why am I doing the marathon?” Some of the people with whom he has shared his wife’s endeavor have said that his wife is crazy. Who in their right mind even wants to go out and run 26.2 miles? Why would anyone put their self through that when they don’t have to? These are the things people have said to him about this event. Answering this question is not as easy as one might think. You feel the answer in your soul, but putting it in simple words that communicate the reason fully, takes some reflection. And so I have been reflecting. Exactly why am I doing the marathon? It’s starting to become much more clear now……

First of all, I set a goal that I was going to do a marathon the year of 2010. I declared it. I said it without leaving any room for escape. I didn’t say “maybe I would do a marathon in 2010”. I didn’t say “If training goes well I will do it”. I didn’t say “If I felt like it, I would do it”. I didn’t say “If the stars align and the planets are in harmonious revolutions” or anything out of this world like that! I just simply said “I AM going to do a marathon in 2010”. Plain and simple and being one of those people who still believe in keeping your word, I have to do it. I don’t know if you have watched the movie John Q. with Denzel Washington, but in that movie he keeps his word and he makes a big point that the importance of that one thing….means tremendous difference in your character. It was a good movie and a great reminder of a simple truth. So I am keeping my word.

The other reasons are more difficult to put in words but I am going to give a go at it. So hang in there with me…this is going to be specific to being a woman to begin with, but then I hope that even men will be able to identify what I mean by the end. We women do lots of things to ourselves. We put on acrylic nails (some of us regularly some of us randomly). We highlight our hair. We tan our bodies. We go shopping for new clothes, new shoes, and new makeup. We even sometimes apply fake eyelashes and fake hair and fake eye colors. Why do we do these things? Truly, what’s the bottom line? Most of us would say because we want to feel good about ourselves. And for awhile it works, but it often feels short lived and if we are totally honest about it, we know it’s all fake. The opposite of real is fake, right? I came across a saying in one of the Runner’s World magazines that was made by a woman and it went like this “I started to understand that my body was an instrument and not an ornament”. Wow. That is pretty deep when you stop to think about it. Do we treat our bodies as ornaments or instruments? Do we try to see what our bodies our truly capable of? Do we push ourselves to the limits or do we short change our physical capabilities day in and day out? It made me stop and think. God gave us a powerful and amazing body. What are we doing with it?

So I began to ponder these things and the real answer began to form, it began to be truly clear. In our country, everything has become easy. Most of us are blessed beyond our comprehension. We have all the things we need and most of what we want. For the majority of us, we enjoy good health…taking it for granted and not knowing when mercy and good fortune may run out. How many of us have been faced with giving all that we have and then having to give more? Physically? Mentally? I want to know what I am made of. I want to know if I have the mental tenacity to push beyond exhaustion, to find strength when my body has given all it has. I want to know if I CAN do it. Well, maybe I am crazy, lol! But even if someone thinks it’s crazy…..that’s okay. I admire people who are breaking out of molds, doing the things they truly want to do regardless of the opinions of others. So in summary, these are the reasons I am going to do the marathon in less than 2 weeks:

1) Because I gave my word.
2) Because I do believe the body is an instrument, wonderful and capable of amazing feats! Not just an ornament to be decorated….
3) Because I want to see what I am made of when it comes to endurance and finding an inner strength that I haven’t had to find before.

I am excited about completing my first marathon on June 26, 2010. I don’t know how many of those miles I will run, or how many I may have to walk. But one thing is for sure, I know why I am doing it, and I know I will do everything with in my power to finish it. God willing, I will finish it!

Read 1116 times Last modified on Monday, 14 June 2010 14:28

Published in Races

Edna Alford

Hello. I am Edna Alford. Running has become an incredible outlet for me! It's an awesome stress reliever, gives my mind peace to think, space to find creative solutions, and allows me to feel alive and strong. I hope to run until the day comes when I can no longer run. Until then...happy running!

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6 comments

Comment Link Monday, 19 July 2010 05:10 posted by Christopher Jennings
I really appreciate this article. I am an avid fan of marathon. Not that I wasn't experienced in this field but I was one when I was way younger. I really love running and keeps my mind off things that troubles me. I make this my habit every morning and got to know more people too along the way. Hey Good luck on your journey guys!
Comment Link Wednesday, 23 June 2010 19:48 posted by Carla Zimmerman
Thanks Edna for all your very helpful info! So excited for you and your Marathon in what a few days! Best of luck!! I have found the Jelly Belly and I will have to check out that belt. I have posted my pic under the avatar but how do I get it to show up here? Thanks again and wishing you all the luck on your Marathon!!
Comment Link Friday, 18 June 2010 15:57 posted by Edna Alford
Hi Carla! Congrats on your first half coming up! I will never forget being on the start of my first thinking "Omg, I am about to RUN 13 MILES!!" It was surreal feeling and it was a great experience! I know you will enjoy it! Running on the actual course is a great advantage because you will be familiar with it and know what to expect:) The purple jelly beans are Power Beans that are made especially for atheletics by Jelly Belly company. They come in Jelly Belly logo packets and are sold at athletic stores. Not all of them carry them though..you will have to do some scouting for them. I love them though bc Jelly Belly's are one of my favorite candies! The Margarita shot blocks are also sold at athletic stores usually near the check out counter and they have many flavors. THey are sectioned into squares and they are gummy like. I highly recommend you take some form of one of these with you or you can just take some of the GU gels. The GU is not my most favorite but a lot of the races will hand these out to runners on the course....so they are sometimes FREE:)! In my halfs, I didn't wear any kind of belts but recently I came across one that if I had had at the time I might of used it...you can view one at SPIbelt.com and its the small personal item belt. It is cool! You can carry your phone and gu/beans/gel in it and its lightweight and comfortable and its just awesome! Best wishes to you!
Comment Link Friday, 18 June 2010 15:19 posted by Carla Zimmerman
Love your letter and your tips about your 3rd half marathon! Good luck to you on your Marathon coming up soon! I am doing my 1st ever half marathon on July 17th and I am so excited! I hope to do my long run this weekend on the actual course that the half will be on. Maybe that will give me an advantage?! What are the purple jelly beans you refer to and the margarita shots in your Half letter? I have not tried anything yet on my long runs but know I am gonna need something forsure at the half way mark to keep me going. I start to feel it at mile 6! I have been looking into the gels alittle bit. What do you reccomend? Do you wear a belt to hold your stuff and if so what kind? Thanks for the great letter! It is very motivating!!
Comment Link Thursday, 17 June 2010 02:51 posted by Edna Alford
I feel your frustration Lisa!! I too have had diffuculty in this heat and humidity to get in those all too important, quality long runs! Training runs have lacked the energy and vibrancy that I had hoped for...and the event is now edging into single digit countdown. I totally identify with the crappy training run feeling:)...Somehow in the midst of this, I remain hopeful...I think if you keep moving forward in good faith..all will be okay:) and that keeps me on the up and up about an event of which I am ENTIRELY uncertain haha! Which marathon are you training for this year and when is it? Best wishes to ya and thanks for the kind feedback Lisa!
Comment Link Wednesday, 16 June 2010 22:14 posted by Lisa Kormanak
I ran my 1st marathon last October, and am struggling with the training for this years marathon (it is waaaaaaay more humid than last summer)I have been tryiong to think positive about mt my crappy training runs so far this year. This article has given me a boost of positve mental energy! Thank you....and good luck on your marathon adventure!! :):)