I came across this story when looking through my files so I thought I'd share it again- it's written before I did my first Marathon
So what happened to make Colleen and Kerry take the plunge
and commit to running a Marathon? It took just one person to
hand Colleen a book that was to totally change her thinking about
a Marathon.
Suddenly a Marathon seemed like a possibility, when Letitia handed me the book,
"The Non Runner's Marathon Trainer" it immediately identified why my attitude
towards a Marathon was blocking me from believing that I could do it.
As history would have it, I then gave the book to Kerry and can I just summarise by
saying she was very, very excited . "When can we?, so when can we?", was all I
heard from Kerry for the next few weeks.
So the plan was dreamt, "let’s do the Brisbane Marathon in 2009", for the experience
so that next year we can guide who ever in the club would like to rise to the
challenge.
This journey has been incredible to say the least. Every step of the way has been
exciting and purposeful. We have had to run at crazy times of the night and day
mainly to work around GGG commitments and Kerry's work commitments BUT it has
so been worth it. Every night run and every early early morning run has made it feel
all the more special, we felt we were training for something important. It gave us the
sense that we were making a true commitment to our goal.
We even ran 30k on Kerry's birthday! She thought it was the best birthday treat ever!
I've gained so much from this experience and getting to know Kerry better has be a
true blessing. We have laughed, we have shared, we have been honest and trusting
with each other, we have celebrated our progress every step of the way, we have
chatted, we have enjoyed each other's silence ( yes I do get tired and stop talking
sometimes!) and we have laughed at each other- yes I do mean at and not with each
other -how could you not when Colleen mistakenly used the Male toilets, or the time
we thought we saw a snake and Colleen couldn't get on top of Kerry's shoulders fast
enough! There's been plenty of incidences that I'm sure will come out during the
Christmas Party awards! (You are warned Kerry!)
It's also been a journey about strengthening ones' belief in oneself, sensing the
incredible growth of one's mental endurance, realising what your priorities are and
committing to what is necessary and that has included understanding how much
attention you must give your body, soul and mind to prepare for a Marathon.
Hopefully it has been an inspiring journey for others, too. I hope that you are
thinking, umm maybe...if these girls can do it maybe just maybe....
We've now completed our longest training runs (36k)for our first Marathon and WE
KNOW WE CAN DO THIS, we will finish the Brisbane Marathon. In what time? It
doesn't matter, the goal is simply to FINISH. We have averaged 60k's per week and
trained since early May. I have nearly worn out two pairs of shoes and my fuel belt
has had to be taken in by about 7 cm's. Stretching has become an even bigger
priority, we simply can't go a day without a good stretching session. We have both
treated ourselves to regular massages, arrr they hurt so good!
Because without our bodies being in reasonable condition, we could never have run the miles we did.
There is a host of people to thank, without their support and help,
this journey would not have been as wonderful.
Firstly, Letitia for the book, you never know when one simple action can produce
such a major reaction in another's life.
To both our hubbies who were water boys on numerous occasions, meeting us at
the half marathon mark with more water, juice, gels and words of encouragement.
To Len (Colleen's hubby), who has offered invaluable advise - he has run 10
Marathons so he has a reasonable insight into the event. And perhaps a reasonable
insight into how I tick, too! Thank you also for taking that early early am call when I
fell over (or did Kerry push me?) and driving out to us.
To our kids - Callum, Tegan, Reece, Jarred, Ethan and Rhiannon,
who have done nothing but admired their Mums!
To the truckie who had to stop in the middle of the road and looked back in his rear
view mirror with admiration for easily 5 minutes!
To Megan who ran with us on a few occassions to keep us company and hold our
pace. Well done for transitioning us through a water stop with record speed! I must
say you went the extra mile that our hubby's didn't when they did water stops!
To Kirsten, for her inspiration, love and personal experience advise.
To Chantelle, for all those wonderful massages and for your ear, listening to us
dribble on and on about running!
To Tracy Baillie, who in amusement said repeatly," how far?, pardon?, are you
mad?" You will get it, one day, Tracy- PROMISE!
To all the GGG's who have shown interest and asked how we were going - thank
you for your support, every small word or comment has meant alot.
I'd also like to thank the original GGG's - Donna is now the only remaining one
from this first group. All these women have moved away from the group for whatever
reasons however more importantly without their initial interest and support, GGG's
would not have developed and I could not have become the consistent runner that I
am today, without that wonderful start. So I say a special thank you to these women,
all who were important, at one point in time, in making me the runner I am today.
To the wonderful GGG's, who I call my dear friends- Jo, Donna, Julie and
Megan, who waited at the clubhouse on many Saturdays, for our return and then
cooked us a wonderful bacon,eggs, tomato and toast breakfast. Who could ask for
anything more!
Well there is just one more thing we want! Yep, The Shirt - don't worry you will
see it over and over and over again - we don't intend having it off our backs much in
the first week following the Marathon!
So lastly but in no way lest, to my Marathon buddy, Kerry, a huge, gigantic thank you for
taking this journey with me. Here's to our goal - "To finish a Marathon" - bring on Aug 23rd!!
Cheers!
Post Marathon - 2012 - Well the shirts were a complete laugh- they only had very small sizes left when we finished so I don't think we worn our shirts as often as we imagined!
However the whole experience spurred Kerry and I to more Marathons and inspired 6 more GGG's to run a Marathon(s).
Remember if you are dreaming a Marathon, your dream won't disappear and when the time is right, it can and will happen.
