Sunday, October 12, 2014

Inspired

The Melbourne Marathon Festival happened over the weekend.

The first I haven't been part of for five years.

I can't say it wasn't hard to hear all the excited talk about coffee and food and shopping and running over the last couple of weeks. Cause it was - just a little. And I can't say it wasn't hard to let go of the opportunity to see my big baby boy - cause I miss him every day.

But it wasn't the right time for me this year. So I decided that disappointment was counter-productive and the best attitude is always a positive one.

But how to turn disappointment into something positive?

It actually was quite easy once I started to think out and not in. The weekend in Melbourne was all about my running buddies and their inspiring stories. So many of them went down to run and each of them trained their butts off to be ready.
Some overcame injuries to be there. Some ran with niggles that they were managing. Some ran PBs,. Some ran debut marathons or half marathons. Some struggled to finish but never gave up. They ran individually or together but they all supported each other. Because we are family - running family.


My favourite story from the weekend was from someone I've spent long Saturday runs chatting with. A man who probably shouldn't be alive after a massive heart attack last year. He had his heart set on running the full marathon and no doubt would have if injury had not intervened. And because of the post-heart attack medication he's on, the injury took longer than normal to heal. So he had to be content to drop back to the half marathon - still a huge ask when he couldn't run 10k a month ago.

His training ended up being a very short block culminating in an 18k long run just a week ago. He may not have been confident but he was determined and sometimes that's all you need. I couldn't have been more excited when I got the message that he'd gotten to the finish. And managed a PB!


Seeing all the pictures on Facebook over the weekend became the highlight of the week. It was a reason to reminisce over my Melbourne runs. My half marathon PB in a time that I never had dreamed possible. My first marathon - something that I'd vowed I'd never do. An injured half marathon that I ran supporting a squad member. A half marathon run after a year of a mystery illness that's no longer a mystery. And last year's marathon that I'd never have even started without the support of some very dear friends that I'd made through the squad.

I have gone from a little disappointed to really inspired.

Melbourne 2015 - only twelve months to go!

19 comments:

  1. What great stories! Now that's genuinely inspiring. I love that your squad is family. Here's to Melbourne 2015!

    ReplyDelete
  2. good on you Char! Bring on 2015!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ha! Good to hear. Love the camaraderie you and your running colleagues have! (As well as the odd bit of rivalry!)

    ReplyDelete
  4. They sound like a wonderful bunch. It's very inspiring Char. Melbourne 2015 will be here before you know it. That story about the man who'd had a heart attack is amazing. Good on him.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 12 months...

    You had better start training

    ReplyDelete
  6. Aww what a great squad you have. I agree races like these are so inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
  7. You're an awesome teammate and I'm sure your pals are thrilled for your support!

    ReplyDelete
  8. this post made me smile from ear to ear. <3

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love how supportive your running family is (and how big!)!! So cool that there success have you inspired for next year and everything in between now and then!

    ReplyDelete
  10. You really do have a great running family - so glad your friend was able to finish the half, which is very impressive given his recent health!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow! He ran a half after a massive heart attack! That is awesome! You are so right, Char, often it's watching others run that can make us the happiest.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great post. So nice to have fellow runners to support each other.

    ReplyDelete
  13. You are lucky to have such a great group of runner friends.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've missed quite a few races this year and it can be hard. I put my focus on my next goal and work for it positively. As you say...only 12 months away.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Such great stories and so many good memories of yourself about that race and you will add a new memory next year!

    ReplyDelete
  16. You kind of make me want to joint a team!! For the support and inspiration... an extended family of sorts. Wow, this guy's story is inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nice post! You've really have a great running group!

    ReplyDelete
  18. The runners are a big and great family. Now I have many running friends and I am part of a team but .... I miss a lot my old Navy Running Team.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wonderful way of getting positive energy from the accomplishments of others! :-)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I love hearing from you.