Only A Marathon?

I had a conversation at work a week or two ago that went something like this:

Co-worker:   So what is the next race for you?
Timbeaux:   Probably the St. Jude Marathon in December.
Co-worker:   Oh. Only a marathon?
Timbeaux:   ……..Uh, yeah.

So how do you reply to the statement, “Only a marathon”?   People seem to be expecting more from me.   I guess with the races I have done in the past 5 years, a marathon evidently appears like I am taking the day off.

Most people don’t know what I do or understand how hard it is.   And I usually don’t talk that much about it either.   Occasionally I will get caught limping or walking slowly and I will explain the reason for my ailment.   But for the most part, I just go about my business.

If it weren’t for fund raising and the need to get other people involved, only my family and closest friends would know I raced at all.   I just don’t like talking about myself.   In the words of Popeye, “I am what I am and that’s all that I am.”   But unfortunately, I have found it is hard to raise money for charity if no one knows you are doing it.   So that is the main reason for this blog, my alter ego Timbeaux, and our team Running on Faith.

And that leads me back to the question at hand, “Only a marathon?”   First off, there is no such thing as only a marathon.   A marathon is tough.   Period.   26.2 miles of running takes its toll on everyone.   And I am definitely no exception to that rule.   I am hurting right now from some short runs.

I guess people expect more of me because I expect more of myself.   And that is one of the reasons that I decided to try to qualify for the Boston Marathon at the St. Jude Marathon in December.   It is my way of taking the sign “Only a marathon?” and lighting it on fire.

The other reason for making this attempt is that it will help my fundraising by giving me more to talk about.   I could do a long, slow build up of my miles and run the marathon in December with minimal problems.   But that would be boring.   Or I could abuse myself by pushing my body past its limits while crashing and burning over and over.   Now that might be exciting!

And if somehow, I survive the training.   If somehow, I show up at the starting line having raised as much as I can for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.   If SOMEHOW I can cover that 26.2 miles in under 3 hours and twenty minutes.   Then I will head to Boston to run that famous marathon while raising money for Habitat for Hope!

Only a marathon?   Nope.   26.2 miles of blissful agony coming my way.

Tags: Boston Marathon, marathon training, running on faith, St Jude Heroes, St Jude Marathon