John Inglese Jr.
February 22, 2014
Uno Solo Run
The self supported marathon
I'll start by saying that this was not a self supported marathon. Yes, I ran it by myself. Yes, I supported myself with the fuel and motivation. I say that it wasn't a self supported marathon because I received a hundred bucks to do it.
It all started when I signed up for a trail run months ago. I tend to sign up for things and stress the details later. So a week before the race I discovered that the area where I would be was not the safest. So I canceled my hotel reservation and told my mom that if I ran a marathon around our area she had to give me a hundred bucks to cover for the entry fee of the ultra. And that's how the Uno Solo run began.
I actually just recently ran a real self supported marathon last month so this was not so different. Each marathon is a discovery and that's why I'm writing, to reflect on what I have learned on the journey.
One of the most impacting observations I discovered was what I call, "the water effect". It seems whether I'm grabbing a cup of coffee, running a marathon, reading, or any other activity around a body of water there is a sense of peace and enlightenment. I can feel the positive mood creep into my self when I'm near this life sustaining element. I also got excited when I got near the beach because I thought I saw a dolphin in the shallows. Turns out it was just a tree, maybe my endorphins were playing a trick with my brain.
While gazing at the clear, sunny and 'warm' ( I say warm by meaning around 50 degrees instead of the recent 20 degrees and below) day, I stumbled onto a pack of runners. Not only once but twice. The second time they even said to run with them but I was in one of those running modes where I just needed my alone time.
I have discovered that during those tough running moments there are a number of things I do to make the moment fly by so the good, elated moments seem to come quicker. One thing I have always done was say a sentence in line with my foot falls and or my breathing rate. A good one I use is, "I can do it". Sometimes when it's really quit I start to just listen to my breathing. Doing these things helps me to focus on the act and not think about things like I usually do. Thinking is good but it's nice to break it up and just focus sometimes.
It's is amazing the thoughts that come up in your mind when out on the open road or trail. I have a lot of notes and reminders I plan to share be it my blog, essays, or maybe even I'll start a podcast. Whatever medium I use the thoughts come to me in clear, concise intervals and during the act of running my brain is not cluttered. It's organized and calm which is the opposed of my body at some times during the act of running.
I'm not always calm and happy when running. It can be exhausting, gut wrenching, pure torture. But I got the secret... Smile! It is so simple and yet so complex that when you smile no matter what's going on your instantly more positive. This transfers over into all other aspects of life making you a more pleasant person. Being pleasant can go a long way and spread the positive vibes you give off.
Upon completion of the Uno Solo run I met my mom at the same starbucks I did the month prior. I grabbed some victory red mango until she arrived and got my usual cup o joe. Dark coffee, Red wine, and Frozen yogurt are three things everyone should enjoy. Before I got my coffee I wanted to get a little more comfortable so I grabbed my change of cloth's from my moms car. I've done this before and it's always interesting changing cloths after a long endurance event. Thinking back that was probably the hardest part of the marathon. Not only cause I'm tired and sore but because it's telling my mind that the fun is over and back to being in the real world again.
Running with no particular route in mind is also something everyone should enjoy. Exploring and discovering new things brings out the best in who you are. You have to forget yourself and the worry that is part of everyday life and just go. It goes by so fast. I usually tell myself that during a run. "Once it's over it's over", so I try and enjoy the moment. Even if I'm at a low point during the run. I hope to run more of these and hope to encourage others to do the same and really find themselves. I'll continue to keep searching for myself as well.
-Barton- Still smiling :)
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