I have had several posts of my 62 year old friend who has been training for a Marathon. A few weeks ago he did it! Here is the story in his own words .......
The gambler said, “Every hand’s a winner and every hand’s a loser, you gotta to know how to hold ‘em, know how to fold ‘em the best you can hope for is to die in your sleep!” (or something like that!!) The marathon runner says you have to know how to pick up your feet and put them down for 26 and ¼ miles, [42.2 km] and very one that finishes is a winner. The best you can hope for is to be able to walk sometime in the next week!
Victoria, Oct. 7th, 8.30 am. I find myself in amongst nearly 10,000 others who will take part in the events here; marathon, 1/2 marathon, 8k, etc. I hear the mayor giving us a big welcome to the city as the starting clock is ticking down. Last minute check… shoes tied and knotted? Do I have enough clothes on? It’s sunny but cool. Maybe too many clothes on? Yep, I’m taking off my sweats top and bottom.
Bam! We’re off! This mass of runners is moving! The street is lined with supporters, moms, dads, wives and husbands, friends… all cheering as we run out under the balloon arch. Truly awesome!
At the half-way mark my time is 2.17.25; 25 seconds behind Alta. I’m enjoying watching Alta, my daughter run. She is just seconds ahead of me.. pony tail swinging side to side Right there is the reason I’m in this race. About 6 months ago she said, “Dad, I want to do a Marathon. You did one 18 years ago and I haven’t done one. I think I can. Train with me, keep me accountable.”
Having reached a weight that I’d never thought I would, why not… might take off these added pounds! So some 5 plus months later, after running training runs in four provinces of Canada and 1 state in the USA of approximately 575-600 miles, in nearly every kind of weather (except a real down pour), and reducing my weight by 20 pounds…. I’m chasing her pony tail!
There are not only good runners here, there are great runners here. It was somewhere about this time I met the first returning runner. WOW I’m not even at the half way mark! Man is he moving! No doubt going faster than I can ever sprint!
I’m still feeling good at the half way point and I have even managed to pass a few runners, some who have picked up cramps and a few that are really slower than me, surprise, surprise! Now is where things start to change. A light rain has started. Good, no problem, I’ve had some runs in a light drizzle. We’re on the return, running along the bay and a wind is coming up and the rain is no longer a drizzle, it’s raining! There are a lot of runners not dressed for this and soon we start to see the effects when some of them are put into the ambulances. Some are in quite bad condition. The road is water all over. The rain has become a downpour. The wind, while not real strong is making this run a real challenge. At about this time in this mess I have lost sight of that pony tail swinging up ahead. From this point on, she’s running her own race and I’m left to run mine! Some well meaning person has brought out a kayak and placed it along the road! I find it amazing to see a few locals shivering under their umbrellas trying to encourage us as we splash down the streets.
Soon after I lost sight of Alta, the left side of my brain, (or is there anything left of my brain?!), started telling me, “this is just a fun run that has turned into a not fun run so why don’t you just walk? You’re cold, this is stupid.” I tell the brain it’s right but I’m running any way! Slower, mind you, but staying in the run. There is no more sightseeing. It’s just… have mercy; don’t let it be much farther!
With about 4 miles to go, a couple of policewomen came along side me. “Are you ok? Talk to us.” My mind is screaming.. go way, I’m trying to run. They won’t go away, so I tell them I’m ok! But they say you don’t look ok. They decided they better call for help. I don’t want help, I’m so close to the end I just want to finish. So I say, “Hey girls, you want to go dancing afterwards? They assure me I won’t be doing any dancing afterwards, so I tell them “If I didn’t pretend to run like this I’d never get to beautiful police officers escorting me down the road!” Got a laugh and they decided to let me continue on!
I really was hurting, though! My muscles were so cold they were contracting and pulling me forward. I’d become what is referred to as a “leaner”. You can see that in the picture taken of me when I crossed the finish line. Fact was, I was leaning forward so bad that I had to keep running or I’d fall forward. I could not slow down to walk!
As soon as Alta crossed the finish line (at 4 hours, 28 minutes, and 41 seconds) she returned to meet me. She ran the last mile in with me. I remember her saying, Dad, I did it, you can too. I tried to straighten; up but for all the world I could not. Alta on the other hand, really had a great run sprinting the last few hundred yards then, returning to run in with me. Wow! Little did I realize I was only 32 minutes (three miles) behind that wet pony tail! I was very grateful the aids caught me as I crossed the finish line and took in to the medical tent.
I know never is a long time, but if it takes me another 18 years to get ready for my next one that’s probably never! This is the third day after as I write this and my recovery has been phenomenal. I walk normally and plan a 4 mile run for tomorrow.
I now have the medallion and the tee shirt and a time of 4 hours, 50 minutes and 22 seconds!!
Thanks for running with me, The Marathoner
Way to live the dream Clifford!
With great love, Suzanne
Suzanne Marie Bandick
Live Your Dreams Life Coach
For more information see http://www.liveyourdreamscoaching.com/
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