In the current issue of ‘Runner's World’ magazine there's a very short piece on a woman athlete who ran a marathon while she was 8 months pregnant with her son. Now her son is a teenager and is preparing to run alongside his Mum in an upcoming 26.2 mile race.
Wow!
If you have ever run a marathon, half marathon or 10k even then you will understand the magnitude of her endeavour and if you are a parent, you will know what an emotional race it will be for the pair of them to run once again. So, why mention this on my blog?
I do not claim to have the fitness levels to even come close to that of a professional athlete, but I too ran a marathon when I was pregnant, albeit a 1/2 marathon while I was 4 months pregnant - I still I did it and in a respectable 2 hours and 16 minutes :) During the last 2 miles I felt like I was going to give up, but the little boy I was running in memory of and my bump kept me going, as did my Mum and daughter cheering me on in the crowd.
When I ran this race, my first ½ marathon, I had no idea that my Mum would die of cancer 4 years later. I similarly had no idea that I would run a ½ marathon in her memory and that her loss would inspire me to begin training for a full marathon when I felt at my most fragile.
People keep saying, ‘I could never run a marathon!’
I think, couldn’t you, though? If there was a chance it would help your Mum, or your child, wouldn’t you? I believe anyone could. I believe anyone would.
I believe anyone who has ever loved and lost would know the agony of being so tired that you can’t even raise a smile. Of feeling like every step you take strips your mind and body of the last reserves you have. And I believe that anyone who has loved and lost would also know, when you crossed that finish line, probably sobbing, exactly what you are capable of surviving. You’d know that their memory, their life was worth it. Everyone has darkness, but during that race it will be their light, love and laughter that will get you through the bitter pain.
It’s true of all endurance races, but no less true for life.
What I learnt from that first emotional 1/2 and what I will take forward to my next is that strength does not come from physical capacity, but from pure will. My will comes in the form of my 4 year old ½ marathon bump who will be cheering me on with my daughter. My Auntie Patsy too, who will be running side by side with me; facing our fears together. My Mum also will once again be running for the whole 13.1 miles with me.
This week I know that I WILL hit my golden 10 mile distance!!
This week I know that I WILL hit my golden 10 mile distance!!
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