The Boston Marathon is tomorrow. In honor of the run, it’s time to reflect on marathon adages such as, you don’t start to train for a marathon the day before or it’s a marathon not a sprint. You see it all the time, people try something without training or experience and expect good results. As with a marathon, you need to train or be an experienced distance runner. Or the other fallacy is do a part of something great and expect full results forgetting it’s a marathon not a sprint. I know, you read this and think common sense, but common sense is not common usage.
I know, I’d run a half marathons at an 8.5 minute pace before to finish in under 2 hours. However, the year I ran without training…well let’s just say, while I finished, I ended up with an injury that lasted 6 months. Or years, I dream about running that Kentucky Derby Half Marathon and either I’d forgotten to train, got the routes mixed up, started at the wrong time, all sorts of things. So maybe I learned the lesson?
For goals, you need a plan, a pace and support with the knowledge you can course correct as needed. In the case of running, that plan is a running schedules, the pace is that speed and consistency you’re going for and support is people who share your vision and encourage you. Hence, it’s kind of fitting to celebrate this marathon. Last March, I’d finished my “retirement gap year,” and realized a move was in my future.
I made a plan that started with a spreadsheet of potential cities. I set a target date of July to be moved, my pace. I can’t find the words to describe the support from my brother. For the two days, I sent him the listing and floor plans. Each evening, he’d call and we’d discuss. With his support and encouragement from friend in Oakland, an offer was made. I closed in July. As I was flying across country I buckled my seat belt, I started to freak out and said aloud to myself, have you lost your mind; what have you done? “What?” I looked up, my seat mate was stowing luggage and was as someone I’d actually seen before. It was a quick a bond that had us talk through the entire red eye flight . At that point, I kew it was all going to be ok. Support.
The symbol for the Boston Marathon is a Unicorn. It is believed the unicorn was part of the family crest of one of the founders of the Boston Athletic Association which sponsors the marathon. The Unicorn has long been associated with Scotland, and a Unicorn adorns the top of the Old State house, so this is said to be plausible. The Unicorns significance is now broader:
“The unicorn is a mythological figure that is meant to be pursued, but in that pursuit, you never catch [it] So it inspires you to continue to try — to race harder in the case of running — and though it may be elusive, it really is the pursuit of the unicorn that makes you better and better and better.”
Jack Fleming, the BAA’s president and CEO.
Meandering through Boston Common this morning , part of which as become sorta potty central, I get to reflect. I don’t know if Boston is a mile marker or the finish line, but I do know, plan, pace and support will sustain me. This week consider, what or you on pace for?
Balancing on Unstable Surfaces 