#MyChicagoMarathon No. 18

Next month, I am running the Chicago Marathon. For the past nine months, I've been using this space (my blog, this is post number eighteen!) to document my journey leading up to the race.

During this time I've been intentional about filling my mind with books and podcasts for motivation. One of the books that I read (over the summer), The Road to Sparta, by Dean Karnazes, stands out as worth sharing. The story follows Karnazes, an ultra running legend, as he explores the roots of the first marathon while he runs the historic 153 miles from Athens to Sparta. If you like books about history, I recommend it. If you like books about running and/or physical fitness and/or testing your limits, I recommend it. It was both fascinating and inspirational.

The following are my ten (yes, there are ten) favorite passages from the book, along with my two cents regarding them.

(p.12)

In a previous post, #MyChicagoMarathon No. 13, I specifically wrote about this and how my marathon preparation is a personal learning experience. Classrooms (and schools) are simply places where a lot of education takes place. But education is not in a vacuum; education is everything that we do, and everywhere that we are.

"Running these long distances was liberating. Others might have found it daunting and intimidating...These endeavors would temporarily ruin my body but cleanse my soul. My spirit would be awakened, and I would be left in a state of higher being, the dismantled fragments of my essence  eventually reconstituting a better version of myself." (p.35)

Running long distances is hard. But the feeling produced from those post run endorphins is far greater than any temporary pain experienced during the run.

"Balance doesn't lead to happiness - impassioned dedication to one's life purpose does." (p.36)

I might add that attempting to find balance may lead to unhappiness. It's hard. Life is pretty full, and attempting to find balance may only cause more pressure. Instead, seek to find the right fit, live in the present, and love what you do.

"The Greek ideal was that sport should be preparation for life. Athenians viewed intellectual education and physical education as inseparable equals." (p.45)

Agreed! It's what is great about sports. Sports teach character in a way that nothing else can. My opinion. Period.

"Yet, having a strong body is only part of the equation. Having a strong mind is equally, if not more, important. There is a saying at the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run: "The first 50 miles are run with the legs, the next 50 with the mind." (p. 138-139)

If there is one thing that I've learned throughout this training, it is 1) training your mind is as (if not more) important as training your body (and 1b) it is possible to train your mind).

(p.185)

Resiliency. One of the most important things that we can develop in our kids (and in ourselves). Life is hard, and challenges are inevitable. Intentionally, put yourself in these situations so that you can practice your resiliency.

"Sure there were other competitors in the race and the clock was ticking, but inevitably an ultra-marathon is not a race against others or against a stopwatch; it is a match against oneself." (p.225)

That's one of my favorite things about running. The internal competition. I've often thought that when you can't go faster, go farther (and vice versa).

"If you want to run, run a mile...

(p.227)

This (the 2019 Chicago Marathon) will be my first marathon. I don't think it will be my last. The mental and physical preparation that it is requiring, I'm enjoying it, too much.

"The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in life is not triumph, but the struggle." (p.263-264)

It's a process. All of it. And when you're fixed on the outcome, you're very likely to be disappointed. If you can enjoy the journey, do the little things along the way extremely well,  and trust that the results will take care of themselves, you're much more likely to find contentment.

"There is nothing easy about finishing a marathon. No matter if you are an elite front-runner or an anxious first-timer, the undertaking is fearsome. And that is because the marathon is not about running; it is about salvation.The ingredients required to tackle this formidable challenge are straightforward: commitment, sacrifice, grit, and raw determination." (p. 265)

This comes from the conclusion of the book and it excites me! It's going to be hard work to run 26.2 miles. Preparation has been hard work, running 40(ish, +/-) miles, each week. But that's why I'm doing it. That's what I like about it; being able to accomplish something that is difficult, something that takes an intentional commitment, something that with the right preparation and mindset can be done.

Until next time, I'll close with a shameless plug to my fundraising page (linked); I encourage you to visit, and (if you are able/willing) donate (I'm so close! I'm only (roughly) $200 short of my goal; thanks for considering, and THANKS to ALL who have already donated!).

I hope that you'll follow me on this journey, and I hope you enjoy my story.