I was on a plane coming back from somewhere. Probably Austin City Limits Music Festival. Anyway, I decided to read the airline’s magazine. Lots of bullshit articles that certainly appeals to Americans in square shaped states (I’m looking at you Wyoming!). So I’m reading this garbage to keep my mind off the fact that I’m in an air, going hundreds of miles fast, in a pressurized cabin. Right before I was ready to put it down, I turn the page and out pops this quote:

“If you can train and finish a marathon, you can do anything in life.”

Was this just another line of bullshit? I wasn’t sure because I’d never trained and completed a marathon. And without the personal experience, I couldn’t be certain. So I started running. And before long I realized 26.2 miles was too much running for me. What with going to school full-time and all those extra-curricular activities, all that running required too much training just to be ready. So I decided to train for a 13.1 mile run.

When you do things on a whim based on some bullshit quote in an airline magazine you have to wonder if your mind is working correctly. However, I paid it no attention and kept running. Before long I was breezing through 3 to 5 miles run, 4 days a week. I remember having to eat all the time. I couldn’t figure why I was able to be so disciplined. Then it dawned on me, “Oh, right I taught myself how to play a few instruments and I’ve been doing it since middle school. Shit, that kind of discipline has to come through in other activities. Right?

A week before the run, however, I was helping a friend remodel his house. I remember being in the crawlspace between the ceiling and roof and, before I knew what happened, I lost my footing and crashed right down to the floor. I think I fell at least 8 feet. It hurt but I did what I think my dad would do; I dusted myself off, drank a glass of water, ate the best candy bar made by Mars Incorporated and got back to work. The story still makes its rounds when I visit my friend’s house and remains one of my favorite ice breakers. So, the bruises got worse as the days got closer to the race. I was hurting from my right forearm to my right leg. But I had to keep running, cause I paid the registration fee and I had to do this.

The weather was horrible the day of the race. It was cold and raining sideways but I was going to run 13.1 miles. After the first few miles the sweater I had on was drenched. I tore it off and kept running. I ran for 7 miles straight. From Monterey to Pacific Grove, up a few hills and through a lot of neighborhoods, it was great seeing a town like that. But then I reached the boring part. I had to run about 3 miles one way and 3 miles back. It was like a two lane road. But I kept running and if I wasn’t running, I was walking really fast. Towards the end I saw someone on the ground. I didn’t think much before seeing the EMT people rushing to his aid. People were passing out from running long distances! However, I finished and got that shiny blanket I always wanted.

Well, this is where I talk about what I learned. It occurred to me that long-distance running is a topic that intimidates people. And its a great activity to be addicted to. I’m still not sure about achieving anything I set my little heart to because all I did was run 13.1 miles. Sure, I trained and how many would still run after falling 8 feet from atop a ceiling? Not many. So what did I learn about myself? I’m persistent. I’m committed and if there’s ever something I do on a whim, on an impulse and without much reason, I’ll still get it done. A man of his word.

Recomendaciones de Señor Rocha:

Austin City Limits Music Festival

Big Sur Half Marathon

How to Train for a Half Marathon