Before I ran the 15k Run for the Kids I was scared...and I had to argue with myself to actually do it. Part of me was saying, "You don't have to run you know. You've paid your entry fee. That's all they need. It can be your contribution to the Good Friday Appeal. You don't actually have to show up."
But I showed up, ran it and survived it. And I'm so glad I did.
Now Kara and I are in training for a half marathon. That's 21.1km in case you're wondering. That distance seems.....daunting.
After that we'll head into training for a marathon. That's 42.19km.
Just looking at that number seems enormous....but I have to remember that once upon a time a full lap around the reserve across the road from my house seemed enormous too.
I don't know if I'll be the first woman with dwarfism in Australia to run a marathon. I'm interested to find out. I do know however that there have been other people with dwarfism who have ran in and completed marathons.
Over the past 24 hours though I have gained inspiration from three athletes who all ran the Boston Marathon. These three athletes have different forms of dwarfism. I was particularly interested in the running career of Juli Windsor who became the first woman with dwarfism to complete the famous Boston Marathon.
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As soon as I saw Juli's photo and read about her run I thought, "Right! That's it! I can do it!"
(My kids know I mean serious business when they hear, "Right! That's it!")
Danh Trang and John Young also competed in this years Boston Marathon. Unfortunately John had to pull out in the middle of the race due to illness (unrelated to his stature) however I am sure he would have completed it otherwise.
Wow. Just wow I tell you! I know I can now. Not even my age is going to stop me. I've got a good 15 - 20 years on these guys too. Bring it on.
Ain't nothin' gonna stop us!
