He didn't have water stops every 1.5-2.0 miles, and he had just come back from running 140 miles a day or two before, there was no one cheering for him, and the life and death of his republic was on the line. What really is our lesson from Phidippedes?
I saw a shirt recently that said, "I run half marathons because I'm only half crazy." Made sense to me. I got the idea. The half marathon for many is the feat of a lifetime. So you may be thinking, yeah, but Paul, you run the marathon so you must not care about all the little races...
That is the absolute wrong assumption. You see, I look at the marathon as being only half crazy. There are people who do absolutely insane races, like the Badwater Marathon, which starts on the bottom of Death Valley in CA and ends at the top of Mt. Whitney. Overall, it is an uphill race that spans 136 miles in 106 degree temperatures... at night... I look at the Comrades Marathon in South Africa (56 miles) which gives you exactly 12 hours to complete it or you do not finish, I look at the Western States 100 mile race. All these races go way beyond a marathon, and yet, people like you and me run these... why?
Everyone who starts running has a story.
Not too long ago, I mentioned to a colleague that I run to release stress, they said that to release the stress of this job they'd be running for a very long time. I said, "Why do you think I run marathons?" Ultimately, I have a lot of reasons why the marathon appealed to me. A lot was fear.
When I was challenged by a co-worker many years ago to try and train for a marathon, I laughed. Then I joined him, hey, maybe I can do it! I half-heatedly trained and failed my first marathon. I though, well, I never really had a goal to run a marathon, so who really cares. Turns out, I cared. You see, up until that point, if I made a commitment to do something, I did it, no matter how hard. I figured that this challenge would be no different, but after several miles, I realized that I physically and mentally was not prepared to complete such a feat.
Over the years and another failed attempt, I finally did it. It wasn't easy, but I crossed the finish line, and that's all that mattered. Since then, I have attempted and completed 4 marathons. Each time, I improve my finishing time, which is always a thrill for me. But I still haven't made it to the point that I want to get to. The point where the marathon is no longer a challenge for me.
You see, every person has a challenge that seems beyond them, something bigger than themselves. For some, that means walking a mile a day. For others that means a 5k or 10k running race. Others look at the marathon, or a trail race with a different distance. Some people walk, others run. But really, what does it matter what you do?
If you ever want to get perspective on lifetime accomplishments, scan for race videos of various distances. Watch as people cross that finish line, many for the first time. Fast-forward through the first through many finishers and watch the "mid-packers" then watch the "back-packers", then watch the walkers. Listen to the relief and the elation that comes from every person who finishes their chosen race, no matter what distance.
If you run longer races, listen to the conversations other people have about the long race. Really listen to their discussions, you will get a perspective that's just a little different than you remember. People either look up to you or they think your crazy... even if you finish last.
Personally, I look up to those nut-jobs that run ultra-distances. Their and my challenges are different only in distance, but otherwise they're the same. The same goes for those who are just starting to run or those who have built themselves up to 5k, 10k, or half-marathons- I understand that they look at what I do in the same way, but even I know they can do it with proper training and time.
It makes me look at these ultra-distances and start to ask, why not me? I may still cramp at the 22 mile mark, and I may still need to walk from time to time, but the more I look at it, I start saying, I'll give it a try one day. One day will come, I just don't know when.
Phidippedes died because he wanted to save his country. As a result of his crazy, ultra-running two days in a row, he helped save his civilization from complete oblivion and domination from the Persians. Had he not made this sacrifice, who know what the world would have looked like today.
Phidippedes had nationalism and the future on his mind... what do you have on yours? What will get you across that finish line? What will it take to make you do what you know you can, what you must do? Maybe it's not about saving your country from destruction but yourself or your family or your life. What will make you start your challenge? When will you do it?
I constantly examine and redirect my plans and goals after every experience. I discover new ideas all the time. My challenge to you in this last week or so of the 40 day challenge is to reach out beyond yourself, just a little further than you think you can go. Pick a goal, something you don't think you can accomplish, then set a date and make a plan. What you can do, in God's strength, will amaze you... let go and let God take over.
Enjoy!
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