Is 42.195 just another number? Some see this as a challenge, an obstacle, a goal, a chance, a new beginning. There are those who see it as something impossible. Some see it as something terrible. Some see it as something unnescessary. But that day, what I saw was aspiratons, determination and a belief. They came for a reason and that is 42.195. They trained hard. They managed their diets, sleep and organised their schedules so that they can conquer 42.195. Every one started off at the same starting line. Some were allowed to go first as they had proven to be better. There were also those who believed that they can do as well, they were also nearer to the starting line but there were those who just came to want to settle their scores with 42.195. Along the way, you will see many who will drop out and admit defeat to 42.195. Some were prepared but some were not. Some were taken down by injuries and some by a lack of determination but whatever the reason, some just couldn't overcome 42.195. There were those who reached the goal before everyone. Naturally endowed, guided, and importantly, trained hard to not just to complete but to compete. Some compete to see who is the best, some to better themselves but whatever the reason, the aim is simple, 'can i be better?' Then there are those who started off enthusiastic, fast and determined. They tried following the 'seasoned' ones but only to end up burning out. Exhausted and overly strained, some could not continue because of injuries but some could but only at a much poorer pace. Thinking that by following the seasoned ones, I can be just like them without first considering and understanding how and why the 'seasoned' ones are what they are today. There are those who started off slow but continued with their pace, catching up with many others and eventually reaching their goals. Some needed detours, just to unload, just to refuel but what ever it is, it is not something to be done alone. You need help, some one to provide you with the fuel, the place for you to unload, some encouragements and even some criticisms with positive intent but whatever it is, you can't conquer 42.195 alone, it was never meant to be so. There are some who enjoyed the journey, smell the flowers and bath in the sun, but there are those who are oblivious to all and only have the end in mind. They do reach their goals and the reward is beating the clock and the satisfaction of completing but what happened to the journey? Hours of training, preparation and toil only for that sense of accomplishment? Why can't we enjoy the journey, to see the humanity, the beauty of the moments that went by as we toiled during our journey? Is it all suffering? Is there nothing more? The love, the sacrifices, the preparations, the joy and the estacy, or the tears, the pain, the suffering and how help came along, the care and concern, the help and support that came about and the much needed 'pull me up' and 'push me on' and all these will be missed if it is just 42.195, a number, and end in itself.
Some went as a pack, some broke away to reach the end faster leaving the pack with their permissions. Some continued on with the pack no matter if they were stronger so as to encourage others to go along. Some joked, some remind them about the goal, some remind them about how they got here but ultimately they are there to guide them to the end. Some did it quietly without letting others know, others made it clear that they can help them reach their goal if they followed their pace and nothing else. They didn't care about who followed but just continued with their pace. Many followed. Some ultimately reached the goals but some just had to stop as they no longer can keep up with the pace.
Some went really fast, and slowed to a crawl but some just went on and on without stopping, at a comfortable pace. Yes, mind can overcome fatigue, pain, injury but some times pushing too hard often lead to dire consequences such as long term injuries. Hence, know where to draw the line takes wisdom. Self awareness is important. Discipline is necessary. It is after all 42.195.
42.195 meant family, love, humanity, possiblity and hope to me. It reminded me why it was there. It remined me what it was for. It reminded me what it had done. It was not just about past, it is not about the future, it is about now. You really do not know if you can complete the journey the way you visualise it to be, you mustn't keep thinking about how things were and how it should be, you just have to do it. How would you know until you try? All my daughter wanted was the medal. All my wife wanted was a safe return. All my son wanted was his cars. But to me it meant finishing it, it meant moderation and it meant love, support, trust and belief.
Don't forget about interdependency, don't forget about equanimity, don't forget about the joy and the empathy and to rejoice in the joys of others and not to drown in one's own accomplishmets. Without the elements of nature, without the support of many directly or indirectly, without know the balance, without enjoying and remembering the good times, without feeling the pains of those who had to stop and the happiness in those who have completed, it would have all been 42.195.
