Sunday I will run my second half marathon. The third time running in the cold rain/snow. The fourth time I will wake up at 4:00 AM for a race into unknown territory.
It’s more than likely that I will be there alone, as my “other half” will be working and the rest of the clan in my universe couldn’t care less. I mean who’s going to want to stand in the rain, sleet and snow for 2 hours? But really that’s okay because I am not doing it for them. I’m running for me. I’m running because I want to add life into my days. I’m also kind of looking forward to the beer I plan to drink afterwards. Still, it’ll be weird going it alone, and seeing that finish line devoid of anyone familiar and then getting on the subway to head home, just me and my mylar cape, the one I’ll wear as a badge of honor.
This week, I had pain in my knee so I only ran twice. Today was sort of a run/walk and Tuesday was a 4-miler. And if I go tomorrow it’ll be on the heels of a spin class that usually kicks my butt. I’m worried about the pain. That it’ll bring me down on the Harlem Hill. And trust me if a hill has a name, you know it’s gonna suck. I’ve been on that hill. The only fun part about it is knowing that it’s behind you.
Pain is only temporary, though. Sometimes the pain is a minute or four minutes or a week or 6 months. But it’s not forever. It comes and goes and then comes again. And as long as you say that to yourself when you’re hurting (emotionally or physically) “Pain is only temporary!” you can get through it – like I will on Sunday alongside 5,000 other people.
This half is named after Fred Lebow, the founder of the NYC Marathon at a time when only 55 people ran it. He ran his last marathon at age 60 after being diagnosed with cancer. He completed 69 marathons in 30 countries. Fred Lebow surely felt pain.
In November I, too, will run the NYC Marathon with 50,000 other people. It’ll likely be cold, there will be people cheering us all on, and I suspect pain will be a part of it.
That day I will discover what the other half of crazy looks like.
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