I stayed home from work yesterday to try and shake off this cold or illness I have picked up. It hasn't worked completely yet, so with the race coming up on Sunday, I'm going to rest today too. Despite this illness, I am still going to run the race. I may not be as fast as I hope, but I will finish.
I read an article once about how a large percentage of "elite" athletes running marathons drop out and don't finish a race. If they know they are not going to win anything and are off the pace a little, they simply drop out, opting to run another day. I'm different. I toe the line at every race knowing I won't be winning any money, placing, or setting any records. I know that there will be hundreds if not thousands of finishers before me, but I run nonetheless and love every step.
I have been obese my whole life. The race is not a competition against others, but rather a 26.2 mile victory lap commemorating all the hard work and months of training that it took to get ready for the run and break through the obesity barrier. The runs are sometimes a little painful, but I still smile the whole way. When I cross that finish line, I can't hold back a tear or two of joy - it means that much to me. Finishing a race signifies taking charge of my health and accomplishing something that takes a tremendous amount of dedication and training to achieve. It is so difficult that many people, including the old 325 pound me, thought it to be impossible. I am still planning on running even if I am sick - I am trained and ready and I will complete that victory lap.
There's no stopping me now. Look out Arizona - here I come.
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Good luck. I can't tell you how much inspriration I have taken reading your story.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Travis, maybe you've heard this before, but I'm still amazed I found this site, I'm in the same position you were a year ago. I'm just starting my journey I don't intend to stop ever. I'm 6'2" 325 (well 323 after some running this week). I want to be able to run with my friends who run marathons even if I can't keep pace. I figured it would take me forever to get there but now I see it can be done in a year, maybe I'll be longer maybe not but you are inspiring. I plan to keep following you and reading old posts and hopefully I can ask you questions at different points in my journey. I'm already pleased with myself as I've run 3 days in a row now and yesterday I was able to run for 17 straight minutes @ about 5 mph. Thats much farther than I had run straight probably since high school. It doesn't sound like much to some but you know how big that feeling is and although I was sore, for the first time in my life I was excited about running. Its strange because I just started a new job this week and now all I can think about is getting back to the gym to run. Well now that I've rambled long enough, I just wanted to say thanks again and good luck in your training.
ReplyDeleteI love it: 'The race is not a competition against others, but rather a 26.2 mile victory lap . . .' That is exactly how I feel and why I run races. I'll never 'win' a race, but every time I get out there and do one, I am a winner because I did it. A year ago, I couldn't run a block; now, I'm working towards a half marathon in July. I'm rooting for you to have an awesome run on Sunday!
ReplyDeleteTravis,Wow i just came across this site this evening I read your story.I wish you all the best in your run.And what a inspiring story of your life.I used to walk 6miles everyday then became a truck driver and needless to say I never got much exercise for 10 years.I am 46 years old yesterday I weighted myself in at 225.When I came off the road I started walking to much to quick I have a steel plate and screws in my heal from a fall and bursitis in my knees.(I want to run just like you)I just need to find the right plan I guess.To night I did 40min on my elliptical and tomorrow will try for more.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great way to look at it! I'm struggling with some kind of cold right now too, and I can't even think about running. I haven't run for a week now and I'm scared of losing everything I've gained in the last 10 months of running progress. I know it's silly to think that I could slip that far backwards, but I know if I don't get back on the horse soon, it'll be really difficult.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, what I'm getting at is that I'm amazed by your continued committment. It would be so easy to just skip this race and wait until you're fully better and ready to break your own PRs. But you're going to do it. I wish you the best and can't wait to read about it. I hope to have half the drive you have when I try my first half marathon this spring.
Beckey - You're going to do great in your half marathon! Check out my post on my first half, http://finallyairborne.blogspot.com/2010/10/amazing-race.html, and it will give you an idea of what to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteTravis, I am getting caught up on some blog reading (but did see that you ran the full marathon!). I just wanted to tell you how much I liked this post, especially the last paragraph. It reminds me that I should treat my upcoming (scary) races like extended victory laps, commemorating how far I've come. Thanks for the great message.
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