Why I am running a marathon
When I was in high school I had a hard time running even one mile. I think my best time was a 13 min mile; pathetic by all standards. So I always wanted to run a marathon regardless of time; to prove to myself that I can do something that my body wouldn’t allow, to will myself to the finish line. It was like my equivalent of going to the moon.
But it was only when I got fat, did I seriously take up training for a marathon. I used to be really skinny as a kid. When I hit 27, my metabolism just slowed down. I even became lactose tolerant. I was 63kg in college. When I was 28, I ballooned up to 87kg, so I decided to run. I ran for a couple of months, dropped to 72 kg, got sick because I burned myself out and let my goal of running a marathon fall to the way side. Now at 37, I am back at again. This time with a lot more discipline. I’ve been jogging for over 6 months now.
This time the running is different. It isn’t just about doing something my body can’t do. I like to think I gained more endurance. But what I like about running is the alone time. I like it when sweat beads out of my head. When I run, I feel that my head gets cleared out. I can think more clearly. I pray. I reflect. I can take an emotion like anger and chip away at it so that it disappears. I am alone; running and meditating at the same time. So why do I want to run marathon now? I think it will be a spiritual experience; for my spirit, my body and the road ahead of me.
