Yesterday at the gym I met someone who loves running half marathons but also wants to get into marathoning. When I asked her which race she was contemplating for her first 26.2 miler, she said, "I've heard good things about the Flying Pig in Cincy. Have you ever done it?" With a big smile on my face, I held up several fingers. "Yep. Three times. It's my favorite race at that distance. In fact, the Pig was my very first marathon. It was truly an unforgettable experience." I think I convinced her.
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| Crossing from Cincy into Kentucky at the start of the Flying Pig Marathon. |
Marathoning has provided the flavor in my life. It's given me the opportunity not only for adventure but for travel.
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| Cincinnati has got to be one of the most beautiful cities I've ever visited. |
Not being a talented runner, I've proven that ordinary runners like me are capable of chasing down big goals. Also rewarding have been the friendships and shared hardships along the way.
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| With David McGillivray, director of the Boston Marathon. |
Perhaps as much as anything, the sport has given me the opportunity to enjoy God's creation. I am thankful for the opportunity to run outdoors, and I find solace, excitement, and joy in observing our outdoor world. I am extremely grateful to be running, especially at my age. I'll never forget the finish at the Flying Pig. As I ran, the grim determination that had scarred my face for all those miles vanished and was replaced by a big smile. The last 200 yards gave me the chance to savor my accomplishment, think back to all the preparation I had done, and reflect on all that had occurred during the hours I was on the course.
I could taste the finish line, and it felt great. Marathoning has shown me that man's physical and mental strength is well beyond the limits that most people think possible.
There are not enough minutes in the day to ever thank God enough for all the blessings this sport has given me through the years. Someone has said, "We enjoy the most what we acquire the hardest." And what do we enjoy the most? The things we work hard for. That's why I enjoy marathoning. It's one of the hardest and most satisfying things I have ever had to achieve. This video captures it all.
Thanks for reading.