So, you know a marathon involves running, right?

Duh.  Of course a marathon involves running.  Just because I hate running doesn't mean I don't know what a marathon is.  Generally, when I tell someone I'm running the marathon the conversation starts like this:

"I've got to run this weekend because I'm training for the marathon in January."

"The marathon?  Wow.  Are you running a lot?"

"Only as much as I have to.  I hate to run.  I'd rather be hit by a bus."

"If you hate running, why are you running a marathon?"

 

Well, here's the answer.

I'm running a marathon BECAUSE I hate running.

It's one thing to do something you love doing.  It's one thing to EXCEL at something you love to do.  For example, I like riding my bike.  I can go out and ride 30, 50, 100 miles in a day.  I can take 2 day tours crossing state lines and camping out and having a grand old time.  I get a ton of pleasure out of being back in the saddle.  I'll never be a professional cyclist.  The best I can hope for is an average to slightly above average pedal pusher.  Maybe I can compete in the back of the amateur ranks.  For me, waking up and jumping on the bike is an easy, easy thing to do.

But I hate running.  Don't like to do it at all.  It's not easy to get up at 5:00am and get ready to run.  I'm beginning to despise it less, but that's like saying the Atlantic Ocean is less deep than the Pacific.  They're both pretty freakin' deep!

So that's why I'm doing it.  I'm doing it for the challenge.  It's doubly hard because it's not really something I'm built to do or particularly inclined to do.  But if I can run a marathon, then you can {insert challenge here}.  If I can run a marathon, then nothing is too big.

Plus you add the opportunity to take action for a good cause in the community.  I don't WANT to run a marathon, but then again, the kids Child Advocates serves don't WANT to be abused.  I have a choice to not run.  The kids I'm running for don't have a choice.  Often times they don't even have a voice.  That's where the Advocate comes in.  The Advocate gives them a voice and a hope for a better tomorrow.

That's why I'm running a marathon.

I'm not a runner.  I'm just a normal guy.  Just someone who decided to do something.