Yesterday I had the privilege of taking part in my first ever 15 mile walk/run marathon. Needless to say that although I think myself to be in relatively good shape I was no match for the 15 mile walk from the Sandals Hotel to the Pineapple Hotel. Originally my friends and I (Bappy and Kerri) signed up for the 10k walk but upon completing that distance we decided to trek on till the end of the course. The race was scheduled to start at 6am but due to inclement weather we rolled out of the hotel at 6:30am. In attendance was the reigning Queen of Carnival as well as scores of girls from the Antigua Girls High School along with their parents, teachers and well wishers. The stars of the show though were Rick Ball and Jamol Pilgrim, single leg amputees who have risen above their challenges and keep pressing toward the mark of greatness. . Both men being single leg amputees was indeed sheer motivation for those in attendance. I saw nothing of them once they left the starting line as a light drizzle welcomed the runner and walkers to the open road. The showers continued at intervals throughout the race acting as a relief from the otherwise blazing sun and kept the participants hydrated.
This by far is the most strenuous activity that I have embarked upon in my life time. There were points where I thought that I was going to lose my sanity for seeing nothing but asphalt for miles and miles in front of me. I asked myself “self, who wakes up at the crack of dawn and decides to walk 15 miles in pouring rain without the prospect of cash prize or any other winnings?” the self said, “people who see life as a challenge that’s who. The muscle aches, hunger and fatigue would take days to describe but I soldiered on, not out of peer pressure or the thought of not finishing but the thought that if guys who have only one leg can run the entire thing, why can’t I walk it with my two legs. And so I trekked on mile after mile after mile with water stops, Gatorade stops and multiple bathroom stops to complete a 4 hr journey. I think it safely to say that I have achieved something great for 2011. If all goes well in the year to come this will not be my last such event. It’s an exhilarating feeling to know that you can do something that some people can only dream of.
About a mile away from the finish line I passed a woman on her porch sitting in a wheel chair with both legs amputated. When her neighbor inquired of her what she was doing in the rain she replied “I’m watching young people run”. I can only imagine that she too was once young and able to run. What confined her to a wheelchair I am not sure but I am sure she longs for the days of having legs.
All in all it was a great experience, if nothing else I am sure that I have an interesting conversational piece for years to come.
Life: JUST DO IT
bravo well said,im proud of you.my first half marathon was when i was in secondary school 15 yrs ago and this is my 2nd,i ran then in 1hr34 mins the record stands at the olympic office now i did this walk n jog in 3hrs 55 mins and im proud to finish even thou my ankle swollen because of my slowed pace to help and motivate my not so accustomed comrades.
ReplyDeleteI guess it is the 5 AM in you that took you to the finish....well done my friend!!!
ReplyDeleteVery motivating, we tend to be like that at times, only realising the value of something when we dont have it or cant use it, its good when one realises and utilises ones resources.
ReplyDeleteLove it.
Well, Gummy, as they say - better late than never. Very amusing piece (even tho I am sure it was not meant to be). Good read for my Sunday evening :D
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