Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Ottawa Marathon 2013; A Family Affair

All you need is love.
John Lennon


All you need is less.
Robert L. Peters


All you need is family.
Mike
Yup, that's me at mile 25... left curb... one third up... black hat... white long sleeve...
The half-marathon course converged with the full-course about a mile previous t
o this picture.  
Most runners in the picture are halves. (photo credit Jennifer, click to super size)
My eleventh marathon was the best that I've run in a couple of years.  So many things came together to make this race a success. The coolish weather, the beautiful course, the strong crowd support all contributed to making this marathon simply perfect. But it was family, my Ontario family, that made it a truly spectacular day. 

All you need is family.

My 84 year old mother in-law was upset because she left her cowbell and drumstick at home. Why does an 84 year old women have a cowbell and drumstick?  She bought one, of course, in 2010 to support me when I ran the Chicago Marathon.  Yup, she was there too. Banging on the cowbell and cheering me on.

All you need is family.

I tease her... without that cowbell I can't guarantee a win.  

All you need is family.

My sister in-law, Paula teases me over pre-race pasta and wine... you have to win because I bet the house on you taking first place.  If you don't win I'm ruined!  And then, over post race beers she asks ... what am I to do now?  I'm homeless and it's your fault!  

All you need is family.

I received an email from Toronto Chris minutes after crossing over the line, not bad for an old guy he teases. Chris had just crossed the finish line of Boston when the explosion occurred and he's a remarkable runner.  

All you need is family.  

Later, post marathon in a bar watching the Blue Jays, my mother in-law insists I wear my medal.  I say no, it's not important to me, she replies emphatically  it's important to me, put it on!  I drape it around my neck and onlookers smile and nod in support. She hugs and kisses me Quebec style. 

All you need is family.

Jennifer, supporting me with gentle patience, sweet nutrition, and an over abundance of love for the entire training period leap frogs the course cheering and snapping pictures.  Ten days before race day I say... can we just agree that next week is all about me?

To which she replies... and how is that different from the week before that and the weeks before that and the week before that, and the week before that....  

All you need is family.  
Mile 13.5, down hill, putting on the brakes before the quads seize
(photo credit Jennifer)
And now for the numbers... zzzz... I trained for a 4:15 marathon with 20:1 walk breaks and I managed to slip over the line at 4:14:35.3. I logged just under 600 training miles in 5 months for this marathon ... in cruel conditions. My time is not stellar, not a personal best, not even close to remarkable... it's barely a blip on the damn scoreboard... and yet for me, this old flatlander from peg city, it's a respectable time, even admirable.  The numbers say  I placed 153/235 in my age category (55-59), 2395/3141 by gender, and 3190/4922 overall and yet my family, my beautiful family, made me feel like a Kenyan. I didn't cross the finish line, I soared. 

All you need is family.

Nine family gathered post race for dinner and wine in a downtown Ottawa restaurant. Four were under 30, two were newly married.  All were family. All were happy. The talk was loose, open, non-judgemental, laughter resonated. It was not about the marathon, it was not about the wedding, it was about family, and roots, and love, deep unrequited love.  


So my friends, love your family fiercely, know they are there for you as you will be there for them. Heal the wounds. Swallow your pride. Apologize like you mean it. Sit on a warm dock with a chilled Chardonay and enjoy the time that is now.

All you need is family. 

It's a good day to be alive.

Mike

Sunday, May 12, 2013

These Sweaters My Mother Knit

success

she has achieved success
who has lived well 
laughed often and loved much
who has looked for the best in others 
and given then them the best she had
... 
whose life was an inspiration, 
whose memory is a benediction.

bessie a. stanley



These sweaters my mother knit, they continue to wrap me in warmth and love.

It's a good day to be alive, running, remembering my mother.

Mike