Redefining what’s possible
A quick story about what marathon running means to me:
I was just having lunch with an old friend I hadn’t seen in a while, not since before I signed up for my first marathon and joined the elite club of the “Reasonably Fit and Measurably Insane” long-distance runners. He asked my what my thought process was…why did I get into it, and what do I got out of it.
The first question is easy to answer. I’d been thinking about running a marathon for a while. Then my wife and I found out we’re expecting. Within a few weeks, the first bulge was unmistakable.
Not on her, mind you. I’m talking about sympathy weight gain — mine. My waistline was growing faster than hers. So I signed up for the Twin Cities Marathon, thinking even if I chicken out or hurt myself before I get there (both highly probably events) at least I will have fought off a few extra pounds in the process. In the end, with much help from God and a little masochism on my own part, I finished my first 26.2-miler.
The second question is harder to answer, because I’ve gotten so much out of becoming a marathon runner. I’m more fit, more confident, more diligent in pursuing my goals, and yes, mildly smug about the accomplishment. But above all that, I have to say that this has been the greatest reward: I’ve been able to reevaluate my personal concept of “possibility”.
When I was in high school, I didn’t think I could run, and I got a doctor’s note (for a “congenital pronated heel”…weak, I know) to get me out of any sport that involved running. I only made the varsity rowing team because it was the one sport you could do in my school while sitting down. From then on I never even tried to run, until I met a girl who isa runner. Soon after, I proposed to that girl, and to get me in shape for our wedding, that girl signed me up for a 10K race workshop. We finished the race together in under an hour, and after our wedding, we both ran the Twin Cities 10-Mile. Alas, due to my wife’s wonderful “condition” I had to run the marathon alone.
In finishing the marathon, I crossed a personal frontier. The kid who thought he could never run became a sedentary adult who still thought he could never run…until I did. And when I ran 26.2 miles, I cried. I tried to say a prayer, a blessing that I was saving for the finish line, and I had to start three times before I could finish it. And I resolved that after that, I would never consider any personal feat of physical or mental endurance “impossible” ever again.
I also resolved that while the first marathon was for me, to show myself I could do it, the rest of my marathons — and God willing, there will be many — will be for others.
Once I decided to run for Chai Lifeline, I saw that are just two races coming up, December 7 in Las Vegas and January 25 in Miami. Miami is the same weekend as my son’s bar mitzvah; no way I’m traveling then. But I was scared to death that I wouldn’t be able to reach the fundraising goal by the Las Vegas deadline of November 30. I signed up on October 18, near certain that raising $3,600 in just 6 weeks was…well, impossible. But that wouldn’t stop me from trying.
Five weeks later…56 sponsors have now donated $3,236 to Chai Lifelien on my behalf. My friends and family have read a lot of long emails, and many have dug deep in their pockets even though times are tough and there are a lot of good causes out there to support. Many people can’t sponsor me but have offered their heartfelt encouragement because that’s really all they can afford, and their moral support will still carry me across the finish line. If this is you, don’t worry about sponsorship; just email me a note of encouragement I can print and put in my pocket on race day. But if you can sponsor me…
I’m confident that it’s going to happen. I’m going to Vegas, I’m going to run, and I’m going to finish. Some kids with serious illness and their families are going to get help and support because my friends, family, and colleagues believe in Chai Lifeline and believe in me to pull this off. All I need now is $414 to honor my fundraising commitment to Chai Lifeline, and $414 in 6 days doesn’t even belong in the same time zone as “impossible”.
If you’re not inspired to give, that’s OK. If you don’t need the tax break (100% deductible), or you’ve given all you can to another worthy cause, bless you. If you want to help but you’re out of work and can’t spare a dime, I’ve been there, and I feel you. But if you’ve been thinking about it, planning to give, and just haven’t found the time yet, please consider clicking the link below and sponsoring me right now:
It only takes a minute, and every single donation is appreciated, no matter how small. Please do it today and be apart of what’s shaping up to be the most gratifying, humbling, and important thing I’ve ever done. If you can help me reach this goal, I know you will, because now I know nothing…NOTHING…is impossible.