I Am An Inspiration

Since deciding to run this marathon, I’ve told every human, animal, and mineral that I’ve come in contact with about it.  Several of them have called me an inspiration.  With great power comes great responsibility, or something.

I get that taking a blind leap of faith to sign up for something big like a marathon is pretty inspirational.  Heroic, even.  But the training part, while it has its moments, can be less than inspiring.

There are times that I am a marvel of health and motivation, like the week I ran 24 miles during a heatwave, which included waking up at 4am on a Saturday for a 12-mile jaunt.

Then there’s this week.  I’ve run a total of 1 mile and ate a wheel of brie…by myself.  I’m not one to shy away from compliments, and I’m flattered by them, but it’s hard to look someone in the eye and say “yes, yes I am an inspiration” when my belly is so full of cheese.

I don’t want to be the person who says “If I can change just one life with my journey…” because, let’s face it, I’m not curing cancer here.  But the truth is, the reason I’m sharing my experience through this blog and through the endless, long-winded stories IRL is because anyone can do something like this.  And everyone should.  It just takes a little confidence, a touch of crazy, a lot of support, and way too many early Saturdays.

The best thing that has happened since starting this journey occurred at a party a few weeks ago.  Somewhere between the beer, my stories of running, and more beer, I (gently) convinced a few friends who are not runners or even regular exercisers to give running a try.  They are planning to run the 5K that is held at the same time as my marathon using a Couch to 5K program designed for beginners.  I may be more excited about this accomplishment than anything else so far.  They inspired the inspiration.  It’s inspiration inception.

Whether you are inspired to give running a try, wake up early on a Saturday to play outdoors, cheer on and support a runner you know, or volunteer at a race, I’ll take the inspiration label and wear it proudly.  Just don’t eat a whole wheel of brie.