Sometime around mile seven of Saturday's 10-mile run, one of the ladies I was running with had something to ask me. She's the Loper director, pretty much the top dog, and is also the 11-minute-per-mile pace leader. She's just one of many fantastic people who are in the running group, but one I've been lucky to have had around me as I train for my first marathon.
"Every year we have a banquet," she began, "and we have first-time marathoners go up and give a speech about how they've overcome some challenges to run their first marathon and I wanted to know if you'd represent the Elevens and give a speech. Just think about it and let me know."
She went on to say how running 18 miles in Seattle was a big challenge I'd taken on and met, and how I'd done things the healthy way in terms of my weight loss and the training I've been doing with the Lopers.
I was flattered, really. I thought that maybe next year it would be nice to talk to people during one of our weekly meetings to try and encourage and motivate first-timers to see the marathon training plan through and to encourage and motivate everyone on losing weight. If someone can go from a sedentary, eat-whatever-I-want 300-pounder to running a stinking marathon (!) in four years, then surely it can be done... and probably sooner. I just didn't realize there was a runner trapped underneath the mounds of blubber I carried around.
Anyway, while I thought it would be nice to talk to people in a less formal setting sometime in late 2010, I did not expect for this honor, to speak at a banquet in front of the entire Loper group.
I haven't yet told her but of course I'm going to say yes. I'm honored and would do myself a disservice to pass it up.
Now I have something else to motivate myself during my long runs (and my shorter runs I suppose). I have a speech to write, and I have to create memories that I will use during said speech. And I want those memories to be long-lasting and perhaps motivating for others.
If that can't get me through a run, I don't know what will.
8 comments:
Wow, that is exciting news. Your story is so inspirational it could really help a lot of people. I wonder, if it could lead to other speaking invitations because I think some of the people who could most benefit from your story would not be at a banquet for runners (yet!).
I concur with JMom! Next on your list is MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER!
That is, indeed, fantastic news. Congrats on this honor!
This is so awesome to hear! I cant think of anyone who would be more perfect for the speech. I am eager to hear it!
That's great news, she picked the right guy!
That is such great news! Congratulations, LB! You would be a fantastic speaker. :)
That is so awesome. I hope you'll be sharing your speech with us here, too. Congratulations for being an inspiration!
PS: Thank you for all the encouraging comments about the half. So appreciated!
Congratulations! That is indeed an honor...but one that you are more than worthy of!!!
What an honor. Congratulations. I'm sure your speech will be just and good as your blog!
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