How Can’t I?
(This photo from Dan Mahoney is beautiful reminder of why we run the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon He captured this a few weeks ago at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Dan’s photo is the inspiration behind this post, which originally was published on January 4th, 2015.)
168 seconds of silence. The 13.1 or 26.2 miles ahead of the 27,000 runners is the furthest thing from their minds.
168 seconds for “what could have been” if THEY had returned home from work, daycare or anything else that put THEM in or around the Murrah Building on that day.
168 seconds of gratitude for all that we have and our opportunity to run in THEIR honor.
16 weeks from today, we gather for 168 seconds for THEM on the start-line of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon for the “Run to Remember” the 168 people who lost THEIR lives in the bombing of the Murrah Building 20 years ago this year.
Starting yesterday and for the following 15 weekends, Oklahoma City Landrunners, the local running club, hosts a weekly training run that welcomes all comers — with or without running experience — to train and endure together the pursuit of finishing the Memorial Marathon.
It takes about 30,000 steps to run a marathon. On the surface, it begs the question, “Why would I?” But there is something different about the 30,000 steps of the Memorial Marathon — they beg the question, “How can’t I?”
THEIR names and memory are everywhere.
On signs held by spectators.
On street lights.
On the backs of fellow competitors.
Yes, it’s still a marathon with all the surface pains and joy that come with 30,000 continuous steps.
But it’s the state of mindfulness that comes with each step that makes this marathon different.
Each step, a moment of awareness.
Each step, a moment of presence.
Each step transcends everything believed to be true about time.
Each step, shared with THEM.
Then you finish.
Along the way, and in the finish area, many people show up to be a part of the marathon in some way other than running. Each person contributes something special to the experience; but for some, the evolution of “Why would I?” to “How can’t I?” begins.
THAT is the journey of these 30,000 new steps of mindfulness.
In the spirit of more “How can’t I?” share this post today.
With gratitude, -Joe
PS — The response to my new book, Slalom: 6 River Classes About How To Confront Obstacles, Advance Amid Uncertainty, & Bring Focus To What Matters Most has been amazing and humbling — thank you to so many of you who purchased, read, re-read, and shared Slalom!
Soon, I’ll share a reset of Sunday Morning Joe, share resources related to the book, and new essays in this space as well. For now, Slalom remains available HERE. Check out the “Look Inside” feature to see testimonials from Olympians, CEOs, business owners, authors, professional coaches, and the mayor of one of my favorite cities!
