Six Cities, six stars, one dream!
October has been a month of miles (on feet and in the air!) Marathon madness and quite literally chasing the marathon holy grail and gaining the six stars in the Abbott World Marathon Major Series in Chicago a fortnight ago has prompted me (Rebekah James) to reflect upon the last 15 years of my marathon journey and the lessons learnt along the way.
Six Cities, six stars, one dream!
I've been fortunate to have strong enough legs to carry me through London three times, New York, Berlin, Boston, Tokyo, Hong Kong (for good measure as on home ground!) and culminating in Chicago where I was awarded the six star medal along with 150 others who were running alongside the 56,000 runners in Chicago.
Marathon training is never meant to be easy.
The crack of dawn track sessions, long weekend runs than can never be sacrificed, early nights, lost toenails, taper melt downs, self-doubt and carb loading are par for the course. No marathoner can crack the miles without family and friends. My parents, my children and friends have been my biggest cheerleaders since 2010 and for that I shall be eternally grateful.
Upon landing in Hong Kong from Chicago after a 17-hour plane ride and less than 48 hours after completing the race I had an important job to do for Connect! I was facilitating a workshop for year 12 students from an International School who were about to embark upon their first work placement. Here they were, nervous, considering how they would take their first steps into the world of work. Would they create a good impression? How should they best present themselves and communicate to make an impact but with authenticity. It struck me that my marathon journey seemed an appropriate metaphor for where they were at.
We all have goals, dreams, aspirations, bucket list ideas!
What's to hold you back from chasing these? Yes, you will have lousy, painful days where things don't go according to plan and you 'hit the wall' but you can dig in, grind through these with the support of those near and dear to you and with the right mindset and a cheshire cat grin on your face!
15 years of marathoning has taught me so much. The spirit of community, drive, discipline, adrenaline highs and post marathon blues. My experience in the 'Windy City' consolidated that. Everyone needs a 'you got this' shout out even when you don't think you have as was the case for me on occasions during my 9 marathons. Chicago’s deep dish speciality pizza also helps I hasten to add!
My experience with the year 12 school students consolidated that my intention is to use my marathoning experience to enable anyone of any age to push for their goals and turn their dreams into fruition. After all ... life is a marathon, not a sprint.
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Until next month!
Warmest regards,
The Connect Family
