What marathon running is
Laura Rompf
Beyond the Bubble
It's a cult. Sunday morning I learned that marathon running is a cult. From 12-year-olds who ran twice as fast as me to 60-year-olds that, well, ran twice as fast as me, there were thousands of people lined up on the streets of New Orleans ready to challenge themselves.
"A goal is a dream with a deadline."
It's an obsession. Sunday morning I learned that marathon running is an obsession. Walking up to the starting line, I started to cry. Four months of training, hours of stretching and over a hundred miles covered — all leading to this moment. I thought of the cold runs in Kentucky over Christmas break where my sweat literally turned to icicles. I thought of the numerous runs in Oklahoma City — where the wind hit my face so hard I wondered if I was really moving forward at all.
"Why do I run? I run to stay in shape, to keep my health, to feel better — all partial reasons, I suppose. The real reason I run is confirmation — confirmation that I am in control."
It's also the quickest way to gain a friend. Sunday morning I learned that training for a marathon with someone forms a life-long bond that is indescribable. As I received my medal, took off my time-chip and drank a few glasses of water, I looked for my roommate Ellen. She was the one who got me through the training.
Imagine running about 90 hours with someone. We had to talk about everything from ex-boyfriends to our favorite books. Sunday was Ellen's third marathon and she beat me. But it didn't matter. She's 90 percent of why I made it to the finish line. Thanks, coach.
"A hero can be anyone who inspires you, anyone you look up to, anyone who cheers you on, makes you better than you were before — just as they made themselves better than they were before. Do you know a hero?"
It's not the worst feeling in the world. Sunday morning I learned a hangover from 'Backer's Long Island Ice Tea is still the worse feeling in the world.
At mile 23 I thought it was over. I felt nauseous. I had to think of something to keep going. When have I felt worse? I thought of Saturday mornings last year and realized this was nothing. Just keep running. "Excuses don't count. Anybody can make them up. Nobody cares if you're hurt, sick or tired. Either you do it, or you don't, it's that simple."
It's addictive. Sunday morning I learned that marathon running is addictive. At mile 24 I thought, "This is it." I can mark marathon running off my life's "To Do" list and never look back. I never wanted to feel that way again. However, crossing that finish line, feeling the tears well up in my eyes again, knowing I had done it, was one of the best feelings in the world. In fact, I'm already pondering which marathon I'd like to do next. Oklahoma City? Chicago? Louisville?
"We are different, in essence, from other men and women. If you want to win something run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon."
Laura Rompf graduated from Notre Dame in 2002. She is currently teaching in Oklahoma City through the Alliance for Catholic Education. Her column appears every other Monday. Contact her at lrompf@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
All Viewpoint Stories for Tuesday, February 18, 2003
