It has to be the most gorgeous athletic venue in the world, 26.2 miles of breathtaking scenery along the California coast between Big Sur and Carmel—a marathon course that’s beautiful and brutal.
People come from all over the world to participate. And for years I’ve watched them come across the finish line, one by one. All ages, all nationalities, an amazing assortment of humanity—every single one of them is inspiring.
Sometimes they soar across the finish as if they just ran 26 miles without breaking a sweat; others drag across the line and seem so un-athletic it’s hard to believe they can run around the block. Which makes sense from what I understand about marathons. It doesn’t take particular athletic ability or talent—-it takes hard work, and the motivation to train your body to endure running 26 miles.
V is a dedicated runner who’s run the marathon several times. The closest I”ve come has been dropping him off the night before to spend the night in Big Sur where the race starts. Over the years I’ve watched V and other friends as they complete the race. And I would wonder how it would feel crossing the finish line myself.
Sometimes when I go to Big Sur, I think about that— whether I have the discipline, determination and drive—not to drive but to run those 26 miles.
Today was the 2010 marathon— a picture perfect California day. I didn’t run; I didn’t even go to watch the runners finish the race.
But this year does mark a milestone: running a marathon officially made the move from my bucket list…to my F**k-it list. So I guess I finally know how it feels to reach the finish line.
Way to go DP! A major F**it accomplishment at any age under any conditions! I have been crossing off some items of my own this past year! Streamline, downsize, giveaway, donate, keep just what I NEED. Coming Fall my Career Transition Book Story! Yowsa, keep rockin girl!
Still laughing!!! We should all feel great accomplishment when we move something to the F**k-it List! True freedom!
Good for u—to me it’s equally inspiring to see someone transition careers especially later in life. Also think you’re right about the process of streamlining. I think I need to step it up–and might have to start a second Cluttercast to get rid of my mental clutter.
For me this is harder than I thought. Some of these things are stuck in my brain like Velcro. And it does feel incredibly liberating to let go. IF only I could do that with my need for chocolate and now Dulce de Leche…
Another DARRYLE Pollack first, I can not picture a delicate person as you doing these things, but that shows that you are unique, always unique.
Oh, are you sure you want to chuck it?
A marathon was somewhere on my life list and then, nine years ago I was getting divorced and it suddenly seemed like if I didn’t do it then I wouldn’t ever. Looking back, I don’t know why I thought that. But I did think that, so I did do it (London 2001). Four hours and fifty two minutes, which is to say not fast. I still have a few friends who knew me in high school and every one of them was astonished. I am the least jock anyone ever knew.
But I have run a marathon.
Sometimes I even fancy doing it again.
Manny, I’m not so sure I’m delicate—but I’ve seen many people at the finish line who look incredibly delicate and frail—yet have managed to run 26 miles. That’s what’s great about the marathon—and also about ourselves. When we want to do something, there’s nothing we can’t do.
Good for you! Who cares if you were a jock or not—or how fast you ran it; just that you finished is incredibly impressive.
For me– yes, I’m sure I want to chuck the marathon—don’t have the discipline and drive for the training. But there are other choices going on the same time on the same course—and I’m already planning to sign up for the 10 mile WALK. Walking is way more my speed these days—On those hills, I’m sure I’ll feel as if I ran 26 miles.