“I could never do that!”

“There is no way I would ever be able to…”

“If I ever tried to do that I would die.”

How many times have you ever said one of the above sentences?  Over the years of my running experiences and sharing stories of all my adventures, the one comment that always pops into the conversation with a non-runner is “I could never run that far.”  We could be talking about three miles or a full marathon (26.2 miles).  In fact, there was a time many years ago when I said the same thing.  I once uttered “Never could I run 6 miles” during a conversation with someone who was getting ready to run a 10K race.  The thought of running 6.1 miles was insane and unattainable to me.  Not to mention, why in the world would I ever want to do that!  Here I am several years later with four marathons and several 5K, 10K and half-marathons races notched into my experience belt.  What I once saw as impossible became a stepping stone along the path of my running journey. Have you thought the same thing about running? Have you groaned no way, not ever? The fact is you CAN do it.  You just have to go about it the right way.

When you were a little child you didn’t just hop on a bicycle one day and be able to ride it without falling off or crashing into a street sign.  In the beginning you had training wheels. Then, you had someone holding the seat jogging along side you once the training wheels came off.  You had someone who picked you up from the ground, brushed the dirt off your scraped knees and helped you back onto the bicycle.  They guided you through the learning process until one day you were zooming down the sidewalk on your own.  Learning to become a runner and getting to your race day, no matter what distance you want to run, is no different. You should lean on and learn from those who can guide with confidence, accuracy, knowledge, and experience to be successful and reach your goals. With that, I would like to tell you a story about a friend.

Last year my dear friend, Cindy, ran her first half-marathon.  It wasn’t even a flat, “easy”one.  She tackled a difficult race course in the middle of Syracuse, NY.  What’s more impressive is she was in her mid-50’s and had just recently started running.  Having been a member of marathon training teams, a coach for 10K training teams, having health and wellness certifications, and being someone who had substantial experience with running, when I learned she was training for this race I wanted to offer a little advice here and there.  We talked about everything from stretching and strengthening exercises, to nutrition, to running techniques, and training schedules.  I wasn’t real sure how Cindy would take all of my jibber jabber about running.  She always kindly let me spout off at the mouth about all things running, said thank you and went on with her day.  Over the course of her training I would occasionally check in with her and make sure she was doing ok.  I soon realized this was no average 50-something year old who thought one day, “Gee. Maybe I’ll start running and sign up for a half-marathon because I got talked into it.”  Cindy had a determination about her that was admirable and inspiring to so many, including myself. When race day arrived, a few of us, with motivational and humorous signs in hand, drove out to Syracuse with a game plan to catch her at different points during her race to cheer her on.  It was awe-inspiring!

What Cindy did that day blew my mind! You see, most people who train for a big race like that do so with a running buddy, or a few people, especially if they are new to running.  Many people join a running group complete with coaches to guide and educate throughout the training. As far as I know, Cindy did all of her training runs on her own with an occasional gentle, motivating nudge from her husband to get her out the door to get her run in.  Not only did Cindy run her first half-marathon last November on a tough Syracuse course, but she ate that course for lunch!  It was one of the most inspiring experiences I have been a part of and I was so abundantly proud of her.

During her training I remember saying to her, “Watchout.  Before you know it you will be signing up for your first marathon.”   She had the classic response, “Oh, I could never run 26 miles. At this point I just want to get through 13 miles.”.  She ran that half-marathon kicking it right in the kisser and soon after signed up for a series of four half-marathons culminating with some serious finisher medal bling for completing the series!  Did I mention she was in her mid-50’s, never had been a runner before and had just recently started running?  Just wanted to make sure I made that point!

Then, it happened!

In March, while sitting at a Leadership Retreat at church, Cindy whispered to me, “I’ve signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon.”  I vividly remember jumping out of my chair in excitement!  I was elated!  She was taking the leap into a whole new world of running. But, it was about more than just running.  The marathon and the training that it requires is a test of commitment, spirit, internal drive, fortitude, a whole new level of toughness, determination, stamina, and grit.  Someone who once thought “I never could run a marathon” now had a glimmer of “let’s give it a try and see what happens.”  Signing up for a marathon takes guts.  Making it to the start line and crossing the finish line of a marathon is a whole new level of “guts”.

For non-elite runners, which is most of the marathon running population, marathon training is typically a six month process.   That’s a massive commitment that often comes with dramatic season changes (especially in upstate NY), not to mention family commitments, work obligations, unexpected life events, and anything else that comes up along the way.  It is also easy for a person to conveniently come up with all sorts of excuses to not get out the door for a scheduled run.  And, when the schedule reaches the higher numbers, the excuses come much easier and are more abundant. That’s normally when people fall off their schedule, never complete the training and consequently never make it to the start line missing out on their goal.  Without going into detail, Cindy had a few opportunities to toss in the towel along the way and with good reason.  But, she persevered!

Fast forward to Sunday, October 28, 2018, the running of the 43rd Marine Corps Marathon.  I was all set up with tracking Cindy on the virtual map and would receive alerts on my phone when she reached benchmarks throughout the course.  I was nervous, yet confident she would reach the finish line.  Every time I checked her status I proudly smiled.  She was running a smart race and was doing very well.  I knew when Cindy was predicted to cross the finish line and was anxiously waiting for that last text notification.  When it came in I was driving.  I pulled into a parking lot, checked the text and began to cry a joyous cry.  I was filled with a glorious, overwhelming feeling of pride for what Cindy had just accomplished.  Knowing where she was a year ago and witnessing her journey all the way to the finish of her first marathon has been such an honor to be part of and one that I will never forget.  I am thankful to Cindy for allowing me to be a part of her journey.

You never know what you can’t do until you try.  Every race, no matter the distance, no matter the speed or ability of the participants, walkers or runners, is filled with people who are stretching their comfort zones, reaching for something they once thought impossible, pushing themselves to attain something they once thought “Never could I”.  Cindy once said she could never run a marathon.  Well, my fabulous friend, check it off the list.  You did it!

Quite a while ago I came upon this fabulous meme from eBib that says it all!

Lastly, here are two closing quotes to sum up this story that I feel are very fitting and might possibly inspire you to think about reaching for one your “Never could I” adventures:

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ”I’m possible’.” ~Katherine Hepburn.

“If you are losing faith in humanity, go out and watch a marathon.” ~Kathrine Switzer