42 Reasons !

My Lagos 2018 Marathon Experience 1 of 6: WHY I RAN

February 10, 2018, I achieved one of my lifetime goals, I ran the 42Km marathon from start to finish, I will be sharing with you, snippets to how I ran the 42 KM marathon at the just concluded Access Bank Lagos 2018 Marathon: Like in the race and life, they are many lessons and correlations.

Running 42KM is gruelling and energy sapping activity but I decided to take on the challenge, I was crazy (think about it now may be dumb) enough to do it: Here is why I ran

1. Unfinished Business: Marathon was an unfinished business for me, in 2016 I ran the marathon and I did 39.5Km (some people thought it was a fluke), I ended the race because I pulled a muscle (in 2016 I was 46) at Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, when I tried to run it 2017 (with better preparation this time I was doing 21K every two weeks) but the date of the day of the marathon clashed with my daughter’s visiting day (so I choose the later naturally). So, running yesterday 10^th February 2018 to complete what I started.
2. For My Son: Of late I have been “trying very hard” of late to teach my son about the need to develop GRIT (tenacity, endurance) in all life’s pursuit, running this race to me, is another way of demonstrating the importance of tenacity (that we must all develop) to pursue our own personal goals whatever they are:
3. For Myself: I wanted to test my own limits, to see how far I could go. I had drawn the line in the sand and I told myself (after advertising it on the web) and anyone who cared that I was going to run this race and so in a way my reputation was at stake – I had boasted and promised, so I needed to make real that promised (and I did).
4. For My Gym Members: Yes, now that may seem like a weird reason but here is why, all around me are men and women by all standard who are trying their best to stay healthy, fit and in the same vain lose some weight, during the boot camp programs I was always the first to quit. A lot of them almost 99% did not believe I could even do 10KM not to talk of 42 KM (they believe it’s all in my head), can I say I blame them
5. For the Nay Sayers: This should not come as a surprise, many did not believe I could run the marathon, I mean, how many 97Kg, 48 years old people do know who attempts to run a marathon? They laughed, poked fun at my stomach, some jeered (if you do not believe me, please check out my wall on FB and even some word of the “encouragement” I got on the day of the race itself
6. Inspiration: This race was done for those who did before it me (to thank them for inspiring me) and those who will come after – I know for certain that my own race will inspire a few people to run next year (and in the process, they will be inspired to even beat my record) that in itself is motivating!
7. Bucket: Heck, you only live once, better make the best of it! Running (ok to be honest I walked the other half 21Km) remember running or walking 42KM is no small feat (I guess that is why many people do not attempt it). This was something, I always wanted to do and now I have done it. NO more local marathon for me though, I am going to run internationally now (So I say to you, what this space!)

For those who ran, please what was your motivation and for those who desire to run what is holding you back?

In two day’s time, I will talk about “Preparation” To Run a Marathon, You Need to Prepare !