Final Thoughts

My final exam is complete, which means there is nothing else standing in my way of complete Boston take over for the next week, or month... Like most big milestones, it's often the moment of completion, or the moment of success that is anticipated and celebrated. But from my small handful of sporting successes, I think I've come to appreciate the journey to the finish line more than actually crossing the finish line. The journey certainly has defined who I am, it takes a certain personality to be interested in endurance sports (good and weird traits). I also feel as though my memories of these events are so much fuller than just the moment of completion. I guess this is what makes endurance running far more appealing to me than many other things, of course, that combined with the fact that you just can't brag about a 10 km race like you can the Boston Marathon, and I do love my bragging rights. Looking back at some of my memories: My very first marathon, nearly 10 years ago, feels like just yesterday. I didn't actually finish it. I had a stress fracture in my tibia, combined with awful ITB syndrome. At 26 km, I couldn't bare the pain any longer. My whole family, and Gabrielle, drove to Edmonton and stood in the rain for hours while I attempted, and failed, but cheered me on as though I came in first place. Dealing with those injuries made me learn SO much about proper running technique, shoes, stretching, cross training, rehabing and weight lifting. I haven't suffered a single injury even close to that since. I've been able to run two marathons with great friends. These events didn't include just race day, but 6 months of training together, long runs every Saturday morning, rain or shine, large coffees afterwards, travels to our destination races and memories I will always cherish from being apart of their first marathons. Participating in the running clinics at the Running Room, and then going on to be a group leader, and then clinic instructor also left a huge impact in my memory bank. Whether it was training people to run their first marathons and watching them rehab through and overcome all the injuries I suffered from, or watching a middle aged, lots-to-love (aka overweight) menopausal women cross the finish line of her first 5 km race (in 55 minutes) - moments like that tend to stay with you. I had the huge honor of being the clinic instructor for a "Survivors Clinic". It was a complimentary clinic for breat cancer survivors training for the Run for the Cure (October every year) in Victoria. It was such a great group of women, with some pretty amazing stories, and of course, a worthy cause. My marathons and ironmans sort of paled in comparison to their bragging rights, perhaps it was good for me... And then of course, my two ironmans. Both with unique emotions and more hard work than I thought humanly possible. But those 12 - 14 hours days leave far less of an impact on me than the months of training leading up to it. In fact, for ironman #2, I rarely think about that painful horrific day (completed ironman with shingles!) but often think of how much fun I had training for it. Anyways, give me any oppertunity to brag, and I will embrace it... All of this makes me reflect on my journey to Boston. Whether that is just in the next few days to come when Alison and I explore this new city that we are so excited about, or if that is the early morning bus ride from Boston to Hopkington in anticipation of the race. But even more so, the last 6 months, my running has been my safe haven from my otherwise stressful, face-paced life. And the last year, after qualifying for Boston, has given me a self-confidence and self-satisfaction I never thought was possible - it has defined to me that you literally can do anything you put your mind to. But most of all, the last 10 years of running - this makes me who I am. Working my way to Boston maybe took way longer for me than other runners, or perhaps is something I will accomplish in my 20's that people can only dream of accomplishing in thier 40's and 50's. It's sort of beside the point, because it was my personal milestone to reach, and I got there, through trial and error, one way or another. And although there are many people who do not feel the lure to Boston that I feel, and who do not care about anything running related (obviously these people are the boring-minimally-contributing- members of society - but I try not to judge), I'm sure everyone is driven by goals and dreams, much like myself. I just hope that everyone has the same oppertunity to journey to their dreams that I do, because this is what makes life worth living. These are the memories that are held so dear to my heart. I like to have fun, and that is what running has become for me, it is just so much fun! Perhaps it didn't take Boston to teach me this, and I'm happy to say that I will be running long after Boston (except that after Boston, I'll be running with my head held a bit higher). Like all other Academy Award winning performances, an acceptance speech always follows. Well, my journey to the start line of the Boston Marathon was my personal Academy Award, so I am entitled to my 30 second rant before the music ushers me off stage. As always, I stand firm in my belief that it takes a team for me to accomplish my goals. I will continue to mention my family as my primary support in all things I do, because I am certain I would be a failure without them. Before I have even had a chance to parent children of my own, I have learned from my mom and dad, that there is literally no better job on earth than being your children's cheerleader. They have mastered this skill with Alison and I, and once again with their grandkids - which makes me so excited to see the amazing things to come in my family's future generations (running and non runnning related - but mostly running related). Craig has survived 3 years (on May 2nd) of being married to running mayhem, and although he isn't a runner himself (missing out), I think I have successfully improved his life in one way or another with my contributions. Luckily, he's contributed equally to my life, in so many other ways. And of course, I'm saving the ultimate of experiences to share with my sister, cause it just wouldn't be right without here. Unlike the Academy Awards, there will be no music to end my rant - as this my blog, and I get to rant as long as I want. However, the sun is shining through my window and beckoning me to greater things, like perhaps a run through Fish Creek to contemplate my next journey. So, to my massive blog following (Mom, Alison...), if I can share any wisdom with you that I have learned through my accomplishments and journey's. This is my legacy, perhaps the story God put me on earth to share. Take this message home with you, it will alter your life for better:

Life is so worth living and so much more rewarding when you have definition in your calf muscles.