OK. I'll be honest. After mile 20, when the word came down that the marathon had been canceled, the clocks turned off and the speakers on top of the fire trucks blared a message asking us, for our own safety, to cease running, I was relieved. I had run two marathons previously, just completed a rigorous training course and was in the best shape of my life, yet I found myself fighting a losing battle with dizziness, nausea and thirst.
I have never had a running experience like that before. I hope I never do again.
I crossed the finish line in just under six hours. And I feel like a great big wuss.
I know that the organizers did the correct thing in canceling the marathon. People around me were dropping like flies. Medical personnel were overwhelmed. Water stations were running out. And I know enough about running to listen to my body.
Still, I feel frustrated. All the training, all the early mornings on the road, gone to waste. My moment of triumph, my goal of finishing in under four hours, dashed.
All consolation, while appreciated, still rings hollow. It's a marathon, not the special olympics. The reality is that my body was giving out in the heat. At the 20-mile marker my adjusted finishing goal was 4:45. And that was by no means guaranteed.
And the reality is also that I was relieved to have an excuse to start walking. I was ready to quit. I had justification.
And that's what stings the most.
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4 comments:
At least you finished and I'm sure it was very trying and difficult.
I can’t believe they still –had- the marathon. Alright, I won’t give you any cheering on since you said it was not helping, but it’s still great that you did it. (in just about any other situation in life, you’d be telling others who went through similar things, to consider the circumstances wouldn’t you? the weather wasn’t a –slight- hinderance, it was a strong factor - in everyone’s outcome. kudos to you, seriously.
I just remembered. Didn't we have some sort of wager on this event? Something about you taking a ride on the "L" naked I think.
Madison and Anonymous: Thanks. I do appreciate the kudos.
Len: I already paid my debt. I rode on the L naked last night. Your girlfriend was sporting enough to join me.
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