What does a retired downhill ski racer do next? Run away from snow. Take up backcountry skiing. Jump the fence and join a skier cross team. All sound like viable options but I didn’t just want “viable”. I wanted challenge. I wanted something new and something that most people would never think I would do and that my friends is how I came up with a marathon. Yes you read that right…Emily Brydon ran a marathon!!
I competed last weekend in the LA Marathon and survived. It was one of the most amazing moments of my life. It was pouring with rain, there were 30,000 inspirational runners, and the streets we all our own; there was no better place in the world to be at that moment. Although I suffered for probably 50% of it, it wasn’t quite as bad as I had envisioned. I did develop some solid blisters, I looked like a running squidgy and I am not sure if it was rain or sweat that blurred my vision but those are all minor details. The power of 30,000 people together with the same goals was awe-inspiring. It got me to thinking……all these people with a common goal and a strenuous journey ahead of them – what an amazing feet of humanity. How is it possible in our world today, that we cannot do the same thing on a more regular basis, with various goals and intentions? Image, 30,000 minds, hearts and ambitions put together in one moment – shouldn’t we able to help the world and the people in it?
These are just some of the things that crossed my mind on my 4h28min run. I also counted steps (instead of sheep), read the inspirational signs held by rain drench supporters along the way and tried to master the art of drinking and running simultaneously (much easier said than done). We were literally slipping on banana peels and being bathed in Gatorade but all these things seemed inconsequential when you had to run 26.2 miles.
I saw Los Angeles at its calmest and had the amazing opportunity to run through the most hectic and historical parts of the city. Sunset Blvd was amazing, the temptation of shopping on Rodeo drive was fleeting as I had a sneaky suspicion that a case of “pretty women” would have happened, the houses in Beverly Hills lived up to all expectations and the down hill slope into Santa Monica was a true blessing. Unfortunately, Santa Monica pier was shrouded in fog but in reality I probably didn’t have the energy to look at it even if it was sunny.
A marathon is something that I never though that I would do but it is something that I will never forget. To experience my marathon with my friends made it even more special. Marathons bring out the most amazing stories of accomplishment, overcoming adversity, and achieving goals. There are people from all walks of life, each with his or her own story and own journey; I was honoured to be a part of that moment. It felt great to have a physical goal again and although I don’t see another marathon in my foreseeable future, I am definitely not crossing off the possibility forever.
Subscribe