Take the story of my good friend Hollster, first time Boston runner. She busted her butt during the Boston training and when she neared the finish line of the actual Boston Marathon her legs gave out. She was suffering from dehydration and she went down on her knees, unable to walk or run another step. Her two running mates Strawberry E and Russian T tried to carry her but were told by an official she had to cross the finish without assistance. And guess what? She did. She crawled. Out of sheer determination and the will to finish and not give up, Hollster finished. And she even made the Boston news for a section titled “Pain and Perseverance.” If that does not get you fired up, I don’t know what will.
Photo by David L Ryan/Globe Staff
As I sat listening to the amazing stories of my running buds who completed the Boston Marathon, some for the first time, some for the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th time I started feeling the itch again.
It wasn’t that I knew I never wanted to run a marathon again, but Ft Lauderdale had left me needing a break. Sure, I had a great PR but I didn’t have “fun” and wanted to focus on tri’s and shorter races this summer.
But a funny thing happened. P-Funk, who had been on the fence about running another marathon since Gasparilla 2010, got pumped up too. And before we knew it we were talking about what would be our next marathon. After a little bit of discussion, since we had sort of batted the idea around previously without really committing, we decided we’d shoot for the 2012 Miami Marathon.
And there you have it. From the inspiration from our friends we’ve decided to give the marathon another go. If I make it through Miami it will be my 6th marathon, or “sex” marathon as we like to joke in the running group. (Back story: typo on the running group page wherein six was accidentally typed sex and now anything that is six is sex. Yes, we are all adults. I think.)
Today I am thankful for the inspiration that will lead me to marathon #6 in Miami, home of palm trees, late-late night dancing, beautiful sandy beaches and the Golden Girls. You know how I love them.
What are you thankful for today?
WOW. I can't even imagine how emotional that must have been for her. Talk about determination. I love it.
And congrats on picking Marathon #6!
Sometimes when I feel I have nothing left, I imagine myself in this situation and tell myself, "You are NOT allowed to stop!"
Awesome story! You know I just read in the triathlon news letter that it is a rule that you have to run or walk the entire course that if you crawl you can be disqualified?!?!! I say bogus. I remember watching the famous Ironman finish where the two women were fighting it out for 3rd place both of them crawling to the finish!
I got emotional just reading and seeing the picture. I can't imagine what it was like for her.
Yay for picking your 6th marathon.
Great story. That is just amazing. And anytime anybody does something whether it is PR'ng, crawling or just finishing I get inspired BUT things like this get me FIRED up.
Thanks for sharing.
I am thankful of your post! It's what I need to remind me of my goals this year! Thank you!!
Wow that is very inspiring! Thank you for sharing. I am thankful I get to spend time with my family this weekend who is coming in from WA for my fiances military retirement ceremony.
Hollster is amazing, hands down, no questions asked.
The picture of your friend at the Boston finish and her story made me tear up, amazing.
Isn't it funny how the marathon bug can sneak up on you? 🙂
Goosebumps….inspired by her motivation!!!
I always have the itch!!
Hey! I saw you commented on Jason's blog at the Athlete's plate on the meal plan I designed. Of course I can come the recipes at your house! Haha, kidding, but I do see that you are from Florida- I just found out last week that I am moving to Tampa! Where in Florida are you from?
Good Lord! This story gave me chills! Talk about the will to succeed! this story made me think of a quote my old youth pastor used to say all the time: "No retreat, no surrender". Thanks for sharing this B!
Wow. That is really inspiring. It's exciting that you've chosen your sixth marathon!
The Hollster is amazing for sure! Awesome that you have decided to do the next big one!