I am preparing to run in my third Chicago Marathon. Since that first Marathon I have become a “Runner”; two Marathons, two half marathons, and a few local 5 k races in two years. Running in my case is likely a poor description of my abilities. I propel myself toward a distant finish line at a pace that is somewhat similar to the movement of refrigerated syrup. My theme song should be “Anticipation”.
My eldest son and his wife have chosen 2011 to participate in at least one race per month for the entire year. They participated in the Luv Run in February, St Paddy’s day race in March, and Shamrock Shuffle in April, with at least nine others to go. This portion of my family has inspired me for next year, my wife and I have begun taking notice of races around the country that we would like to participate in, like the Marine Marathon in Washington DC.
My wife told me of a race she noticed titled the Amazing Grace Marathon (or race) truthfully my mind (which is much faster than my body) ran ahead and I heard little of what else she had to say once I heard “Amazing Grace Race.” She did say something like” it would be fun for our church to sponsor a race by that name.”
My mind still sprinting ahead; An “Amazing Grace Race” would have to mean no entrance fee to participate, no cost to you the runner, absolutely free. Unlike the Boston Marathon an “Amazing Grace Race” would not require you to qualify by participating in other officially recognized races. You would not have to prove your worthiness. It would not matter how well or how poorly you were in your last run, all would be welcome to participate regardless of skill level. Rather than pacers, I bet in an “Amazing Grace Race” you could have someone else run the race for you, be your substitute. No reason to punish or sacrifice your body, no pain. You could enter the race at any point; near the beginning …early on running the whole distance, in the middle… a little later as the race matures, or very near the end …when the race is almost finished, and you would receive the same shiny finisher’s medal to hang around your neck. Of course when the race was all over there would be that free tee, this one would have to be white.
The last two years, both the evenings prior to and after the Chicago Marathon, we have joined family and friends for a meal. Those two meals offered the ritual of carb loading and replenishing that all runners believe they require. In addition to the pasta there was plenty of reflection on previous races, what each runner could do better, how each should improve, where we struggled, and where we did well. I bet at an “Amazing Grace Race” we’d have to offer bread and wine for that carb loading and reflection event.
Amazing Grace Race…We already have a sponsor and the theme song has been written!
Could use a few more participants.
David
