What an experience. A sport I've chosen because it really fits in with my need for solitude on a regular basis. For 26 years I have managed to run solo 99.9% of the time. I can tell you, by name, the running partners I've had in the past. Greg, from Cleveland, ran with me once in Chicago 1991. His legs started cramping less than a mile in so I had to help him walk back to the hotel. Kristi Webb, my former sister in law, held onto the tail of my shirt as I ran the Murfreesboro Country Club perimeter at Christmas 1988. More recently, Nick Stiles has run with me a couple of times on the trails behind the old Walmart in Germantown. 5 miles both times. Then comes the St. Jude Marathon this year. 26.2 miles that I have been training for since June, the week after my 50th birthday. I feel strong for 4 months and three weeks. Knocking out countless 5, 6, 7, 10's, 13's and a 15+ or two. Every time stronger than the last. Then comes the weekend before the Marathon. My right Hammie goes to crap. A slight tear, but painful none the less. Then My left lower back decides, he wants to make his protests known and he starts shouting too. Sunday, 6 days out and I am stressing out pretty bad. I make plans to go to the Chiropractor three time for adjustments. Now it's Friday. I feel fairly relaxed. The adjustments have made a difference. I'm, maybe 80%, but it's better than Sunday. At least I'm not willing to chuck it all and give my bib to the nearest trash can. I go to the weekend expo. I meet up with a few of my Daily Mile friends. It's really a new experience to even talk to another person in a running venue. It's pretty cool. Then Zach, my #2 son calls and asks if I will try to get him a bib for at least the 1/2 marathon. Actually, he asked specifically for the 1/2. I laughingly tell the group I'm with of his request, and BAM... Kelly, one of Greg H.'s buddies from Columbus / Tupelo pulls out a 1/2 bib his Secretary can't use 'cause she sprained her ankle. Pretty exciting stuff. I get so pumped at the prospect of a first half pacer that I start buying up merchandise. I head back to the house with my swag and get ready for the big day.
We rise at 5:30 AM the morning of. Oatmeal and infused water are the fuel of this champion. We head out about 6:15 to our destination RUN! No nerves. Just relaxed fun and pics with family and our new friends from Columbus and Wynne. Zach and I head to our starting corral. ...and we're off at 8:14 AM. We really have a good time. I am guaranteed the next 2 hours with my son. I have a running partner. He asks for my advice about hydration and replenishment. We talk about pacing and pain / discomfort, (mostly his), I feel very relaxed. Then entire 1 hour and 50 minute time together is exhilarating for this old man. So much so that I can't wait for our next running project. Anyway I think about those sorts of prospects and the first 2 hours of my day for the next 2 hours and 30 minutes or so that it take me to complete my Marathon. Excited to be finished. But more to experience my son's first 1/2 with him. We have bonded over this. I can feel his pull back into the nest over this. He is maturing into, morphing into, becoming the man I saw in him when I held him that first time, with his head in my hand and his body up my arm. 7 lbs of pure dependence. I am a Marathoner. I am a DAD!!
I love my wife and what she inspires me to be. What Next?!?
