A few years ago I started running. First it was a walk around the block to finish it out of breath, and then it was a gradual, slow and very measured increase. Before I had tried it in a hurry, and injuries convinced me that running was not for me, when really all I had to do was to arm myself with patience and bet on gradualness.
In less than the blink of an eye, here I am with five marathon medals hanging from a hook in the closet and many “turneras”, several half marathons and a little more. I have no idea if I can think of myself as an athlete, since in life I have been one, but I can say that I have an active life and that I am now an athlete, certified as a long distance runner. What follows, however, is my latest marathon: New York.
After applying for three years in a row, being rejected and not coming out in the lottery to be able to run it, the fourth application in a row is a sure-fire entry. And just because it’s the most exciting marathon experience in the world, I’m going for my sixth, and hanging up my sneakers for this distance that demands more from me than I can give. For this, I am going for 4 months of tenacious training, a lot of discipline, early mornings and sweat, with these images in my mind and in my heart:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=boauNvB9h6I_US
The 42 kilometers and 195 meters of a marathon, however, ask me a plan of life, training and sacrifice that I no longer have much interest to continue. With the marathon I have made great, wonderful and special friends for life, I have known the impossible, the magnetism of the goal and much more, as I also think that I will be able to keep it all moving to half marathons.
The plain and simple truth is that I am not cut out for the sport and what I do is a great sacrifice. But the excitement of the race, the traditional ones of our country and some beautiful events that are organized outside make me think that it is time to go to a distance that will take me away from the walls and the cramps that immobilize. So, here I go for my last marathon and the shortening to a practice a little more in line with my natural abilities and willingness to train.
Being a long distance runner has brought me much more than I could have imagined on all levels of my life. I have no intention of switching to 100 meter races, for the simple reason that they would not take me far and are not that much like life. In my relationships especially, and all my projects, I will remain a long distance runner, although I will always be mindful to choose challenges, measure my own capabilities and focus on the maximum possible dreams. And I underline maximum as possible.
Next: New York City Marathon, November 7, 2010.
