A few months ago I won the lottery! The lottery for a place in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. I’ve been wanting to run a marathon for quite some time yet the prospect seemed so daunting that I never quite mustered up the courage to commit. Well that has changed. I’ve paid my money, I’m registered, I’m doing this. I’m not actually running it until October 2016 but for months now the thought of it looms in the back of my head.
About a month after I registered for Chicago, the Tasmanian Road Runners launched their “Make Me a Marathoner” Program. Members and non-members alike were invited to apply to be selected as one of 4 Tasmanians to receive support in the lead up to Cadbury 2016. I decided to apply as it seemed the perfect opportunity to build my confidence for Chicago. The application process was about sharing the story of why I run and why I would be the right candidate to be part of the program. It was a very cathartic process for me and I realised that I have grown so much stronger physically and mentally from running. I poured my heart into the application and sent it off.
A few weeks later, I was sitting in my studio watching footage of the Chicago Marathon. I’d been having some motivational challenges and my running was a bit “off”. Watching km after km of sped up coverage of the race made me realise just how lofty this goal was and how long a marathon really is. 42 gruelling kilometres! I literally felt sick to my stomach as my self-doubt kicked in saying that there is no way I could do that. I was starting to think I should pack it in. I’m a hack. I don’t deserve to be there. A couple of days later an amazing thing happened….
I got home from a crappy day at the corporate and on my kitchen benchtop was an envelope addressed to me. On the back of it was a red wax seal with the TRR logo on it. My heart skipped a beat. I opened the envelope and inside was the golden ticket. I was in the program, my application was successful! I’m going to be a marathoner! This was the best news I could have got and just what I needed to lift me up. A marathon is no mean feat and I’m so grateful to have the support and coaching to get me there.
Tomorrow is day one of my training program and I’ll be keeping a record of my journey on this blog. Follow along for regular updates. Today was the day of the Gold Coast Marathon and I’m inspired by all of the TRR members who made the journey to QLD to run. Runners are my heroes.
I’ll sign off this post with an excerpt from my application for the program.
Why I run and why want to be a marathoner
I run, to run away from who I was towards who I want to be – who I really am. I run to silence my self-doubt, which is always there telling me I can’t run that km and I’m not good enough for the stupid dodgeball team. I run to forget about work. I run to be the best me. I run to be free.
I love the euphoria that running brings me. I was high as a kite after finishing my first Point to Pinnacle. Every time I look at that mountain knowing I ran up there makes me smile and puts my petty everyday problems and worries into perspective. If I can conquer the mountain, I can do anything. I can only imagine that I will feel like a superhero once I conquer my first marathon.
I want to be a champion. I want to feel the weight of that marathon finisher’s medal around my neck. I want to be a marathoner…but I need help – your help. I’ve been going at it alone since 2012 and if I am truly honest, the siren song of laziness and self doubt is getting louder and I need a renewed focus and purpose to keep me going. I just get out there and run but I know there is more to it and I want to learn. I want to share my experiences and learn from the experience of others while we encourage each other on our journey towards the finish line.
A marathon is a lofty superhero sized goal and I am prepared for the hard work as much as I am the glory at the finish line.
I’m hoping that 2016 is the year I become a marathoner. First at Cadbury in January and then again in October in Chicago where I hope to be rid of that fat kid riding on my back forever!
I’ve got the determination and the motivation.
Please make me a marathoner!
Point to Pinnacle 2014
