The half marathon was stunning. Picture perfect, San Francisco-style - dozens of surfers dotting Ocean Beach, funny marathon outfits (a Franciscan monk!), the dull, yet seductive, browns of the grasses sweeping across the sand dunes, and the bright new grassy roof of the Academy of Sciences. I continue on happily with my ten-minute miles. Slow, steady, joyful.
The race was my third half marathon and Katharine and I are now gearing up for a full. This from a girl who used to need a nap after a two mile jog. Besides the endorphins and good company, what brings me back to running races? My friends in Xinjiang have trouble understanding the appeal. Their recap: you pay someone a bunch of money for the honor of putting one foot in front of the other for 13+ miles on roads that you could jog on anyway? And you're not even hoping to win? Yes, yes (sheepishly).
So, why? I'm not raising money for charity, though I benefit from the impressive cheer of the People in Purple. I'm not in it to prove that I'm a good athlete (in fact, my finishing times have so far proved that I'm average on a good day). I'm not even trying to improve on that mediocre personal record. I do take pride in certain things I do, but jogging is not near the top of the list. What then?
I'm a people watcher, by profession and disposition. I like watching grandma power walk, dad push the baby stroller, svelte yogi sway with her iPod and 6'5" athlete stop to high-five aforementioned grandma. But it's always more than just watching. Katharine and I saw the first woman speeding toward the finish line. My already pounding heart quickened when the crowd cheered as she crossed it. (Note: we were just past mile 6.) I felt a similar surge when a runner double backed to join a friend in need of encouragement.
It's so easy to get caught up in our own projects at home, work and school. We rarely gather with strangers to complete a hard task that offers no political or economic return. The sense of accomplishment is just what you and the few fans you dragged out of bed on Sunday morning make of it. Meaning is created out of the repetition of the most basic of movements, over and over. Gaits and speeds vary, but we are all doing the same simple thing and proud of each other for it. A banal transcendence, if such a thing is possible.
Plus, there's the t-shirt that represents your (dubious) bragging rights. You'd be amazed at what people will do for a "free" t-shirt.
2 comments:
how did you move from the naps after 2 miles to now training for a full marathon? i am looking to make that leap and have thus far found it to be... challenging.
Hi Kelsey,
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Well, it was a long transition. I am a goal-oriented person (putting in generously) so it was important for me to sign up for a race and have training partners. I started with a sprint triathlon with the YMCA's club. I hear that a lot of YMCAs also have running groups.
I once saw a trainer who said that a daily habit will stick after 6 months or so. It sounded like eternity, but she was right. Around that point, I would feel terrible if I didn't fit in some activity.
Patience is not my strong suit: if it happened to me, it can happen to you!
Good luck!
Cheers, Cindy
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