« A Bedtime Story For 2008 | Main | Treat-NMD »
January 16, 2008
The Race
For the last 4 years, I have been inspired by the Disney Marathon. I watched, I cheered, and my eyes filled with tears as I our runners ran by. These marathons are magic for me, all of them, but especially the Disney marathons. While in Disney, you will hear the words “have a magical day†from every member of the Disney cast. For the last 24 years, I have been wishing for magic for Duchenne, and maybe early on believing I could find a magic wand for my boys…and that it would be in time. On these few days we spend in Disney, there is a magical quality about our lives and our loves, where time stands still and we are in tune with each other.
This year I ran the ½ marathon at Disney . You know how you have a certain thought in your head and the next thing you know, you say something out loud, that at that very moment makes sense? Then, just as soon as those words escape your mouth, you want to catch them and take them back? Those words “I’ll run next year†escaped from my mouth just after the celebration dinner at the 2007 marathon. I was not drinking, but I do admit to some euphoria at this celebration of our families. Endorphins probably, but I wondered if those same endorphins would show up as I crossed the start line and sustain me until the end. Ok, Ok, I realize millions of people run marathons. I was not so different, but then again, I did have significant reason to doubt. At 61, I had never run a marathon. Hell, I had never run a mile. I do walk and I hoped this might be one thing in my favor.
I worked out the details in my head. I decided to start training a minimum of 4 days a week. It was Spring 2007. I had a lot of time to prepare. The moment dinner was over, I headed out, iPod loaded and Tina Turner singing in my ear. I ran for the first five minutes, quickly running out of steam, and power walked for the next hour or so, walking approximately four miles a night. Four miles is a far cry from 13.1 and I quickly realized I would have to run more, walk faster, and cover more than four miles. Fall came and with it, my travel increased. In my head I made plans to use the hotel treadmills to continue my training. I did occasionally, but I had any number of excuses why the treadmill idea did not fly. Fundamentally, I find the treadmill boring and the concept of walking and going nowhere seems somehow unacceptable.
The Disney marathon is the first weekend in January following the holidays. January 12, 2008 was the ½ marathon and the date resonated in my head like a broken record (or a scratched cd). During Thanksgiving, I increased my training, walking five to six miles maybe three days a week. I was strength training, taking Pilates, and run/walking five to six miles. It did not seem sufficient to complete a 13.1 mile run. Each time I drove somewhere, I tracked mileage. How far was 13.1 really? Pretty damn far I realized.
I argued the commitment in my head. I developed a long list of excuses why I would not run to include:
o Too dark after work
o Travel
o Caring for the Goldens ( 91-year old mother and 95-year old mother-in-law live with me)
o Holidays
o Needed to be part of the cheering section
o Too old to start
o Lack of training
o Lack of endurance
o Threat of the Disney bus picking me up
o Failure
On the other hand I had a list of reasons why I wanted to run:
o For my sons and daughters
o A commitment to take all the steps Chris and Patrick were denied
o Because many people agreed to support my run
o To live up to expectations
o Because many people believed in me and were cheering for me
o To encourage novices like myself to try
o To suggest that it is never too late to participate
o To suggest that participation matters
o To convince myself that I had it in me
o To start something new
The day before the race I called Tom Neupauer, discussing my lack of training, hoping he would say I should not run. He thought I could make it if I would conserve energy and stay consistent. Just before the race I told Kimberly, I was unsure. I woke that morning at 3 AM and the excuses why I should not run were flashing in my head like a neon sign. I started coughing and decided I was getting the flu, and should not run. I left the room, found Ryan, and got on the bus. There was no turning back. I was caught in the excitement, the sense that we were all in this together. I felt the energy of the 22,000 people. The excitement was palpable. Thank God for endorphins!!
The stories about why people run in this event, the promise to an organization or individual, the commitment to help, were shared while we waited in corrals to start. John Killian, Ryan Fischer, and I became a team. I was the weak link, but they tracked the time, often reminding me of the need to increase my speed. They also periodically threatened me with the Disney bus! The hours and miles passed quickly. Mile 11, Mile 12 and suddenly the end was in sight. Success! I became a runner, ok a walker, but someone who can and did complete a ½ marathon.
Claudia Hirawatt was right about the marathon. She said it was better and more fun than her wedding. My training (ok, so it could have been better) and completing the marathon inspired me and convinced me that we are powerful when we work together and we are and will continue to work toward our goal: to EnDuchenne.
Posted by ppmd at January 16, 2008 09:29 PM