My First Marathon

By: Zoe Routh
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:41:51
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I have written this letter over and over in my head - many times while I was running - for the last two years. I have wanted to share what running has meant to me during this time, and the wonderful support role your magazine has been as part of my running journey and development.

I have never been an "Athlete". I am built more as a belly dancer than a runner - I'm all hips, belly, and boobs. I have never really liked competitive sport - I always felt I could never succeed. This surprised my parents, as I was very competitive academically. "Why don't you enjoy competing in sports the way you do at school?" I could never really give them a straight answer. I masked my response in a veil of snobbery and pretended academic analysis - "sport is for dodo-heads; it's bad for the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect; competitive sport encourages violence in youth." My vehemence and determined irrationality confused them and eventually they just left me alone. I caused them further consternation by running. I ran a lot in high school - always in the morning, and always alone. My parents left well enough alone and were happy that I was at least healthy, though not competitive like my sister, who was a successful basketball and volleyball athlete.

In November 2000, my sister's partner of four years committed suicide. This shattered her world and sent a rift through mine. She was devastated. I was desperate at being unable to help - she lived in Montreal, I was in Tharwa, Australia. You couldn't get much further apart. We spent many hours on the phone. Much of it I just spent listening to her crying, grieving. Unable to hug her, or comfort her physically, I was desperate to try and get her to focus on something other than her pain. Running was it. I'd always promised myself that I'd run a marathon before I was thirty. That milestone passed and here I was at thirty and a half, and so decided that I would least run a marathon while I was 30! At first I spoke of this plan to distract my sister, and then it seemed to sober her and stem the tears. I suggested she might train and run it too - with me, in Australia. It was the perfect excuse to come and visit - none of my family had managed the trip since I migrated five years previously. She took the bait and agreed - we'd run our first Marathon together, April 8th, 2001, in Canberra Australia. She downloaded the application form, I sent her a copy of "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer" (a truly great book for first time marathoners). We called and emailed regularly to check in and compare training notes. As it was winter in Canada, Vicky did all of her training on a treadmill - yes, even the 30km runs! Now that is commitment and determination!

Vicky arrived in Canberra, after forty hours of travel, the day before the marathon. She planned well, stayed hydrated, and kept to a good sleeping regime. She was still tired, but she was there and ready for the marathon! We ran the whole marathon together, loving every minute, even when our legs felt like lead after we passed the 30km mark. We crossed the line together, and neither of us knew whether or not we should cry or laugh or both. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Just six months since her partner died, Vicky was still upset, and still moved to tears when she spoke of him. But slowly, surely, like training for a marathon, she was getting better.

Running had everything to do with Vicky's recovery and managing her grief. It brought us closer as sisters and best friends. Since that marathon we have both trained and run for our second marathon - Vicky did hers last month in Ottawa, while I went up for a second go at the Canberra Marathon. I finished 26 minutes faster this year than last year at 4hours 26 minutes! I am really proud of myself. I am also really proud of my sister who ran the Ottawa race without any supporters, truly on her own, and loved every minute of that race too.

Runner's World has been a big part of my success as a runner. Living in Tharwa, a very small community out in whoop whoop, it is hard to find running partners. When I read Runner's World, I am comforted in knowing there are thousands of others out there who also enjoy crawling out of bed at 5:30am, braving the elements, and doing their best, even on their worst running days. The running program which helped me improve my time so much was in the August 2001 issue, "Moving up to 42". Though I did not manage all the runs on the program (work is chaotic and non-regular), I managed most of the scheduled runs. In fact, I am following the program again as I start training for the Sydney Marathon in September 2002.

Thanks Runner's World - you have been a life-line, a wealth of knowledge, and a tremendous read - cover to cover every time.

Sincerely,

Zo? Herbert (now Routh)

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