“Why are you doing this to yourself?” This is how a friend answered me, laughing, when I said I had inscribed me for a sock or a marathon.
Her phrase, usually when we met at a social event where I, instead of thinking about the wine cups I could be drinking, planned the carbohydrate gels I would take in training the next morning, it makes sense.
No one runs long distance races just because he likes running, especially a marathon. Who, in their right mind, submits their own body four, six months of rigid routine, travels hundreds of kilometers many times at dawn or late at night, deprives of social life to, on the day of the race, suffer for at least three hours (if a very well trained man; most take at least four)? Not satisfied, when body pain goes, days later, why the hell do we want to do it all over again?
It sounds crazy, but has an explanation. Just as they do not run 42 km just for the pleasure of the race, it is not by masochism either. Anyone who dreams of completing a distance like this wants to prove something to themselves. And that’s good.
When we get up from the couch and do physical exercise, let’s go against human nature. We challenge our brain, which insists on sending us the message that we have to stock food and save energy in the name of our survival. It gets even harder because sometimes the feeling of pleasure even beats only after it ends.
But besides leaving our body strong and resistant and helping us to have healthy old age, knowing that it is not possible to run a marathon without being prepared for us to have discipline. Establish a training routine, a commitment to us, do something difficult intentionally brings resilience and sends another message to the brain: that we can trust ourselves in times of difficulty. And that impacts all sectors of life. For me, running is like doing therapy for free.
I recently made another deal with myself. In London, I live in the fourth floor and always have decided to get down and climb stairs unless carrying something very heavy or accompanied. When I’m in Rio, I go out to run, and on the way back, I go up to the eighth floor.
There is no age to take a taste for physical activity. The doctor and marathon runner Drauzio Varella, who I consider an example and inspiration, has said that he started running at age 50. Upon completing the London Marathon, he received the famous Mandala for having the six majors, the main 42 km races of the world: the English capital, Boston, Chicago, New York, Berlin and Tokyo. That at 79 years.
Last year, I had the privilege of running the London Marathon and, this Sunday (27), I will be spectator. A bonus of this edition is to see the super -champion Eliud Kipchoge compete. You never know when the last test of Kenyan will be, it is good to enjoy.
For those who will run this race or other marathons this year: only you know how much trained, suffered, gave up moments of leisure with family and friends, dawn, invested time and money.
Value every moment and are proud to have come here. The hardest is done. Now, go get your medal, enjoy, have fun.
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