About Me

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I started training to run marathons in 2008. Why? Long story, but suffice to say a friend suggested it and I was intrigued. Since then, I've logged about 3000 miles in training. Among those that train for long distances, I am considered 'slow' (I run between 10 and 11 minutes per mile). I run at the back of the pack, hence 'slow man on the totem pole.' As you might imagine, my definition of what a long run is has changed over the years (10 miles is a good run, but not necessarily long). I have a lot of time to think about a lot of different things while logging my daily miles. I hope to share some of what I ponder here. An eclectic mix of what runs through my head as I run along the road to no place in particular.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Did that really just happen?

I just had one of those moments.  You know, the ones that touch you in a way that you know from that moment on your life will never be the same.  Like the day you first kissed your spouse to be.  The day you first saw the twinkle in your child's eyes.  The moment you realized your parents are human (not superhuman).

I spent the last 5 1/2 days in Northern Minnesota at running camp.  I can hear catcalls already -

"Jeepers Ben!  What a goof!  You can run in Chicago for free!"

"Are you serious?  Running Camp?!  What a dork!"  (I am, and darn proud of it!)

I was at The Dick Beardsley Marathon Running Camp held at Rainbow Resort in Waubun, MN.

The Coaches
It was the first of what I hope to be many.  It was one of those 'moments' you don't have often - words simply can't convey the experience.

What do you say when someone asks what you did at running camp?

"Did you run?"

Duh?! (kind of like asking how far your last marathon was).  I could talk about the running workouts, the 'stretching' session prior to the workouts and the sound of Doc's voice - "Everyone looks great!  Except Robert!"

Bills Squires, Dick Beardsley, Bill 'Doc' Wenmark
We laughed, we grimaced, we ate too much, we stayed up late and whined when we got up (maybe not out loud, but in my head I did).  We heard some great stories, a lot of sage advice, and fought to stay awake during after lunch sessions (can you say food coma?)

We talked and listened about our families, experiences, friends, travels, jobs, and childhoods.  We made new friends and caught up with old ones.  We were moved to laughter and tears by coaches and campers. 

And we ran.  Some fast, some slow. Some not often, some multiple times a day.  Sometimes single file, often all over the road.  Trails and pavement.  We learned to 'waltz' on the road (three steps per second - one, two, three, one, two, three...)  I used muscles I did not know I had and found energy reserves I did not know about.  Always in the sun.

Almost - my camp ended with a 5 mile run at 'Oh Dark Thirty' - Me, Dick, James, Debra and Sue.  Watching the moon set and the sun rise.  The perfect ending.



What will I say when asked "What did you do at running camp?"

I could talk about what I heard the coaches say, or I what I learned from them on the road.  What the other campers taught me, or what I learned about myself.  In the end, I think the shortest answer is the best.

Dick Beardsley Marathon Running Camp 2011
I made friends.
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5 comments:

  1. Kendra StumpfSeptember 13, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Ben, you captured running camp PERFECTLY! It's the friends! It was great to meet you and get to know you! -Kendra

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jenny StinsonSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    It's the "friends" we meet along the way. The first-time campers don't know that's why they came, but that's why they come back. Nice post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    "Your post is prose that is poetic. Thank you, Mr. "not the paint guy"... Memories linger on... Especially those of laughing while sitting (briefly) on your lap around the campfire... It took me the entire time at camp to finally spend some time with you. It was worth the wait..."

    "Coach" Rhonda

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    Ben
    frien'
    do it agin.
    vernz

    ReplyDelete
  5. ShellySeptember 13, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Ben,

    Great post Ben. You hit the nail on the head. It is about the people. We can run anywhere and learn from multiple venues. It is a rare opportunity to meet great people, make friends and learn a little about your passion along the way.

    Glad to have met you, my friend.

    ReplyDelete

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