Marie Ternes’s Blog
I’m not sure how many of you are familiar with road races, so I apologize if you are unable to relate. The aches and pains in my body, however, are preventing me from writing about anything else. As some of you know, this morning I ran the Grand Rapids half-marathon. About half way through my training for the race, I developed tendonitis in my knee (which is why I have been limping around lately). Even though my doctor, my friends, my family, a bus driver, and a janitor all told me not to run the race, I couldn’t bring my self to quit. I had put in too much sweat, blood, and tears (not to mention a $70 registration fee) to call it off. Now that the race is over, I can safely say I’m glad I stuck it out until the end. Even though I probably injured myself more by running today, the accomplishment and fulfillment I have right now is worth it.
As I ran, I got to meet so many cool people from all over the Midwest. When I talked to them, I realized that tendonitis is nothing compared to what some other runners have gone through. There were people racing with torn meniscus’s, and broken bones. But the people who really made me think were those who were running for a cause. I saw people wearing shirts reading “cancer survivor” or “in memory of my wife.” All of a sudden my knee pain seemed to be petty. Running a half-marathon is painful, but physical pain reduces to nothing when compared to the emotional pain that these racers experienced.
I received so much more from the race than a medal and countless blisters; I gained a true appreciation for the fortunate life that I have been given. While my wounds will heal, and my limp will subside, I will always take with me the emotional insight that I have gained.
7 comments so far
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Stephanie Baum
I used to not understand the point of marathons (especially ‘running’ marathons because I hate running). Every year at my high school I would participate in a Volleyball Marathon, which was usually 16 hours of playing volleyball and doing other activities to support and raise money for a charity. But why did I have stay awake all night? I already wrote the check, isn’t that enough? After experiencing four Volleyball Marathons (and reading Marie’s blog) I have a better understanding of the point of marathons. They are not only a form of sacrifice to prove one’s support for a cause, but also a way to unite with others who have the same goal. When a group comes together, such as a group of cancer survivors, to sacrifice their bodies and their time to complete a marathon, it solidifies the bond they share and it represents a group of dedicated individuals working toward a larger goal. I did not lose four nights of sleep during high school for no reason, I now realize, but rather to allow a child with leukemia to have a hopeful future. I sacrificed my time to work together with a group of students all supporting the same cause, and I even got to play a game of volleyball with a child who was able to forget he was sick for a couple minutes because he got to play a game with high school students who cared. Now I understand that the goal of a marathon is not only to cross the finish line, but also to see past the physical sacrifice in order to work toward the real goal.
Jen Noborikawa
First off: CONGRATULATIONS MARIE! That’s an amazing accomplishment. You had told me that you were training, but I didn’t realize it was so intense, and that you were injured in the process.
I’ve never run a marathon, but I’ve done several ocean swims back in Hawaii that are like marathons…just in the water. I’ve swam all my life, partially because I love the water, and partially because I absolutely despise running. I applaud you.
I love your comment on how you felt that your tendonitis was “petty” once you saw the hardships others had to face. I’ve had several of those moments when reality slaps you in the face and reminds you that you don’t have anything to complain about. It’s amazing how our worlds, that we find so large at the time, open up completely with those instances of realization. It’s comforting, I suppose that through our struggles and accomplishments, others find motivation, reason, meaning, and inspiration for their own lives.
Rob Carter
First of all I would like to hand out some props to Marie for completing the half-marathon. I have a couple of buddies who are really into running and they do a lot of marathons and can’t even comprehend running that far. I absolutely hate running with a passion. In hockey we use to have to do a three mile run in under 21 minutes and every year I would dread that day.
Also that’s really good that you could take something more from your race than just a medal. You really gained a valuable experience and some great insight. Its amazing what people some endure in their life and it makes you really realize how valuable life itself is and how we should never take it for granted and be thankful for the one we have. Sometimes we need experiences like the one Marie had to snap us back into reality and reset our priorities.
David Braid
Wow! I wish could run a marathon. But yeah, as you were saying. While we are going through hardships or struggles it is easy for us to convince ourselves that we cant go on and end up quitting. But, as the old adage goes: “It could always be worse.” This saying helps me put a different perspective on the situation. For example, in your case, you thought running with tendonitis was bad, but as it turned out there were cancer survivors running that same marathon. Knowing that someone else overcame an injury far worse than my own gives me the motivation to overcome my own. Watching others go through struggles and harships gives us the inspiration and reason we need to live through our own problems.
Chinthaka Weerappuli
I completely agree with your decision. There’ll be a time in my life when I’m unable to even run around or play sports, so the way I look at it is while you have the ability to use your body to the fullest; you need to take advantage of it. Everything in life is so impermanent, so the moment is the only fleeting thing that we can grasp and take advantage of. Additionally, it is so true what you said about not even realizing what other people go through. When I get a bad grade on a test, or even get an occasional flu, I used to find myself get so upset and disappointed with my life at the moment, however then I realize that these temporary things are nothing compared to those with terminal diseases, or people with permanent disabilities. The bottom line is that we should all be grateful for what we possess in our lives; we should all embrace it and take advantage of the moment that we have been blessed with. I hope none of you reading this find yourselves taken for granted some very important things that you often overlook and instead appreciate everything that you all have going for you.
Tye Chang
Along with everyone else, I applaud you Marie for your accomplishment. On top of that, I think it’s great that you finished the race, despite your pains. Not many people would have had the mental strength to complete such task. Often I think it seems that those who are blessed by being healthy don’t appreciate their well being, than those who are dismayed with terminal illnesses. I agree with Chin in that we should all be grateful for the lives we possess. To have the motivation to take even one step is enough to show that an individual is truly thankful for their well being. When I used to play competitive soccer, I remember many times when I wanted to quit, but my mind completely changed, when I played a team with a disabled player. Despite his handicap, he played that game with fierce and determination, perhaps with more soul than anyone that played that game. It is such experiences that allow me to think about how grateful I should be. But getting back to your race, it’s great that you had fun, above everything else. I think you’ve inspired be to consider running a marathon, or heavily downsized versions of it.
Eddie Ricard
Again, Congrats on running the half marathon. I remember that you were pretty sore for a fews days after, so I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to run that far. I was a distance swimmer in high school, because I couldn’t run as far as I could swim. I think that long distance anything is one of the best things to do for your body and mind. I found in high school that my grades were better, my spirits were better and my whole view on life was better when I was swmming several miles a day. I think that because distance and exhaustion can be so rewarding, we should be careful not to take them for granted. I often find myself in the same situation as Tye mentioned, where you are thinking of quitting or giving up and someone else motivates you to continue. I think in the long run it will be best me to have inner motivation, but for the time being I am very receptive to motivation from people who have managed to succeed and over come obstacles. I think some of the coolest people are those that have overcome so much, and still want to do more. Stories like these make me want to get out of my chair and actually do something.