Last Holy week, I heeded my "kababayan"Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma's advise to meditate rather than go on a vacation. It was a chance to open boxes of marathon and music books stacked in the attic. I found one topic that would-be marathoners ask me during clinics, why do I want to run a marathon? Well, here's 26.2 reasons
1. Run a marathon to have fun
2. Run a marathon to give yourself a challenge
3. To improve your health
4. To get to know yourself better
5. Raise your self-esteem
6. To meet people and meet friends
7. To be an inspiration to others
8. To see the world
9. To make business contacts
10. So you can eat more
11. To get back to nature
12. To spend more time with your dog
13. To sleep better
14. To get over a disappointment
15. To get to know your city or town
16. To expand your wardrobe
17. To control your weight healthily
18. To reduce your stress levels
19. To learn how to practice visualization
20. To live longer
21. To catch up on the news, your reading and listening to music
22. To get smarter
23. To help save the earth
24. To channel your compulsiveness
25. To be part of an ongoing revolution
26. To fulfill a dream
.2 To say that you did it. Fernando Rama, 75 (Mayor Mike's elder brother said however "walk don't run". While getting almost the same aerobic results, walking risked little injuries compared to running. However when crossing the street, "run" don't walk. "basin ma ligsan ka".
Motivations
There will be moments when a runner somewhat lose interest in running. Here are some motivations from famous runners and organizations to keep the flame burning. "I've learned" that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind, a state of mind that says anything is possible "John Hang, the Essential Runner". "And now I'm finishing a 26-mile race, damm! This is better than winning an Emmy!". Oprah Winfrey. " I started running at age 72 because I was tired of all boring talk about funerals." Ruth Rothbard ( who ran her first marathon at age 81.). "It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you do not stop".---Lao Tzu. " Running is a way of life for me, like just brushing my teeth. If I don't run for a few days, I feel as if something's been stolen from me." ---- John Kelly (former Boston Marathon champion). "There are only three winners, the one who competes with himself, the one who crosses the finish line first, and the one who finishes the race." ---Sri Chinmoy. " The most important thing is not to win but to take part, just as in life the most important thing is not the triumph but the struggle, the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well".---The Olympic Creed