Last year I stood at the finish line waiting for my then 11 year old daughter to cross with her schoolmates. They had participated in the Schools Marathon Challenge that had them running at school during September and October, then they joined the marathon for the last couple of kilometres bringing their total combined running distance to 40km.
While waiting for the kids, I was able to watch as competitors in the 5k/10k events cross the finish line. Lots of them were what you would expect from runners - lean, wiry, excellent shape. But some of them we senior citizens, a man recovering from heart surgery, breast cancer survivors, obese people, families, fathers and their young children. Sometimes as a person crossed, the announcer would give out tidbits of information - for example the man recovering from heart surgery, he had the surgery 6 months prior and had decided to make radical changes to his life.
I was so proud of these people. Truth be told, I paid very little attention to the regular runners, I waited very impatiently for all the rest, the unexpected runners, the ones with stories. I repeatedly teared up as they finished their races, so impressed and touched by what I imagined their journeys had entailed to get to that point. Some were taking pictures of themselves as they passed under the banner - their pride shining out for the world to see. Others had whole cheering sections going wild for them. For the ones that ran with friends, there were laughs, hugs and some tears of joy and accomplishment.
Looking around at the rest of the cheering crowds, I didn't see derision or mocking on their faces. They seemed to be feeling the same things, cheering for every single person that finished their events. Why would it be any different if I were to participate?
I try to imagine my entire family there at the finish line, cheering wildly and waving signs or posters as I came down the road - but sadly I can't. My parents wouldn't make it because it would be too difficult for my father and he can't stand loud crowds. My older sister would make excuses that she had other commitments. My little sister would probably come, but she would be busy paying attention to other things.
My husband and kids would be there, but unless I made the signs and posters with the little ones, it wouldn't happen. And I would get to hear about how stressful it is to have all the kids in a giant crazy crowd like that and how hard it was on him waiting and waiting for the event to be finished.
I could put out a general invite to some friends but I would be shattered if none of them came.
I'm half tempted to just do it but not tell anyone, just so I don't have to be disappointed with their lack of encouragement. It would be easier to just do the run without any expectations than to be horribly disappointed at the end.
Is this too big of a goal? Can goals be too big? If I start really working toward this, I have 8 months to train and prepare. Technically it is a 5k Run/Walk, so even if I am not able to run the whole thing, but rather do a combination, it would still be a significant accomplishment.
Gosh, I have a whole lot of positive self talking to do!
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