Sunday Story…The Other

Marathon.

Most of the time, when we think about running a marathon, we think of a crowd of people, getting a bib number, planning for months or years in advance, training daily, weekly to get ready to run. On race day we show up, get corralled with scores of other intrepid souls, wait for the starting gun and then ALL of us head off on the same route. At the finish, we are celebrated, photographed, and commemorated for our accomplishment. Along the way, there’s water, food, and encouragement in abundance.

The Other Marathon is more common. This is the one most of us are doing most of the time. Alone. No fawning crowds, no roadside assistance, no way stations, no medals hung about the neck, no starting gun, no fans at the finish line…Alone.

A marathon is hard. It is a big goal, a mountain to climb. The Other Marathon is harder. It’s still big but it has the additional burden of loneliness. When you embark on your fitness journey, a new career path, a new nutrition regimen there is no crowd to clap you across the start line and very few people to cheer you along your route.

Strap your shoes on. Start your clock and take that first step. It may be hard, it may be lonely but it will be worth it in the end. You are enough.

John Mariotti
www.crossfitodyssey.com
www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com
775-338-2412