Canadian Marathon Stories
Email Richard Bercuson by writing:
richard then the @ sign then richardbercuson.ca
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Last site update:
Jan., 2010
from the anthology “Canadian Marathon Stories”
(Bronze medal: Canada East Independent Publishers Award)
On sale from canadianmarathonstories.ca and Running Room stores
An excerpt from Richard Bercuson's account of what it's like to train for your first marathon:
A Marathon Journal
Everything about running a marathon was stacked against me. I decided to do it anyway.
There was no evidence of a family link to the ancient Athenian Phidippides. This was the fellow who, the legend says, twice ran 140 miles between Sparta and Athens, then another 26 from Marathon to Athens to announce the Athenians’ victory. He promptly dropped dead.
I was over 50. I had an affinity for fine food, including potato chips. I’d have to train in the misery known as an Ottawa winter. And I didn’t own a pair of cute running tights.
Family and friends were supportive.
Wife: “You’re kidding, right?”
Son: “You’re kidding, right?”
Daughter: “You’re kidding, right?”
Mother: “Why?”
Father: “Isn’t it easier to drive 26 miles?”
Brother: “I’ll follow you. Are there any good pubs along the route?”
A friend: “Any idea how many men your age drop dead after one of those things?”
A colleague: “Good for you. Will you leave me your desk?”
Never mind. I registered for a marathon clinic. Every week I sat in a room with outwardly normal people to learn the finer points of marathon training.
At the first session, the instructor explained how 18 weeks hence, our training would cover the approximate distance from Windsor to Ottawa, about 990 km.
I’d driven to Windsor a couple of times. It was boring. The scenery wasn’t going to be more interesting if I ran it.
Training for my first marathon changed my life. Rather, it occupied my life. No, it became my life...
The original complete 19-week journal can be read at:
http://www.canadianmarathonstories.ca/Stories/Bercuson/Bercuson_1-4.htm
