How I bought a car to complete my first marathon
30 December 2008
The following is a somewhat long-winded first hand account of my first marathon, which I completed earlier this year, but took some time to write about.
It was a usual Friday afternoon, the time of the week that I usually can’t wait for. However, this Friday I was feeling a little bloated and slow having come back from a lunch buffet where I’d overindulged.
To work off this lethargic feeling, I decided to visit the gym after work – something that I only do infrequently on Fridays, being keen on getting home as early as possible in anticipation of the weekend. I’m fortunate enough to have a workplace that has a gym onsite – but this also means any excuses I’d have for not going would only be made weaker.
Dragging myself to the gym, I started into my routine. In between reps and trying to catch my breath, I starting making some small talk with Brian, one of my coworkers, who was on the bench beside me.
“I don’t normally see you in here this time of day,” I said.
“I usually come in at lunch,” he responded. “But a lunch meeting ran overtime today.”
“Are you working out to prepare for hockey?” I asked, referring to the recreational league that was starting in September.
“No,” he replied, slowly. “I’m in here crossing-training for the marathon.”
That last word, marathon, set off a trigger in my mind.