Anne really wants to blog about the marathon . . . but she’s working this morning. I’ve finished my laundry, washed the breakfast dishes, and fed the dogs, but I really don’t feel like mowing the lawn right now. So until she gets the time to write, I’m going to share two miles . . .
At the pre-race dinner, John Bingham said, “At some point tomorrow, you’ll know that you’re going to finish. It may come at mile 5, it may come at mile 26 . . . but you’ll know. You will also have some miles that are great, some miles that are not so great, and some miles that are just awful . . . ”
At Mile 9, I knew I was going to finish: the weather was great, I felt great, and we’d just finished the only tough part of the course. Mile 16 was the first “just awful” mile for me: my quads ached, and my arms felt like they were made of stone. A wind had picked up, and it was blowing smoke and ash from a fire in Mexico right into our faces. By the time we crossed Mile 17, I started to get scared that I may not finish. Maybe I’d spoken too soon at Mile 9.
“It may help to have a mantra,” John Bingham had said, “to get you through those awful miles.”
I recalled my mantra from the Avon 3*Day: The pain is temporary. The memories last forever.
It didn’t work. The pain may have been temporary, but it was climbing up my legs and spreading across my lower back.
You can do it, Wil. You can do it.
No luck with that. I didn’t know if I could do it. I called my own bluff and folded that idea.
Just keep going.
Wait a minute . . . that may work.
Just keep going. Just keep going.
Yeah! That works. Nothing to really think about, nothing to trick myself into believing. It’s just a simple but effective motivation in three short words.
Just keep going. Just keep going. Just keep going. Just keep going.
I looked up at the horizon, relaxed neck and shoulders, and just kept going. I filled my conscious mind with my new mantra, and let my subconscious mind find a way to let my body continue moving forward. After a few minutes (I think) I put myself into a sort of trance.
Just keep going. Just keep go–
” . . . doing?” Anne said, from down a long, metallic tunnel. I barely heard her over the thumping of my feet on the ground, and my heart and breath throbbing in my ears.
“How are you doing?”
Just keep going. Just keep going. Just keep going. Just keep going.
“I’m fine,” I said.
“Are you sure?”
No.
“Yeah. Let’s just keep going.” Just keep going. Just keep going. Just keep going.
Mile 17 wound around the North side of Mission Bay, and through a residential neighborhood. Several families were out on their lawns, cheering us on. Children ran into the street and offered high-fives.
Just keep going. Just keep going. Just keep going. Just keep going.
After a few more minutes, the road passed between two tall apartment houses, and I discovered that I’d been staring at one of those blue reflectors in the middle of the street — the ones that we always drove over in high school (a stupid-but-incredibly-entertaining practice we called “Smurfing.”). Next to the reflector, was a small laminated piece of paper with a paper clip at the top. I immediately recognized it: I’d seen several of my fellow participants wearing tags like this on their shorts, with the names of people they were running or walking for.
I stopped at the reflector, much to the consternation of the woman who almost ran into me.
I crouched down, and picked it up. My legs were so tired and sore, I felt like one of those dreams where no matter how hard you try, you can’t move more than a few inches. I looked at the tag:
Shelia H.
Bob M.
Bob S.
Doug S.
In Memory Of Dennis T.
Jan. 04, 2004
The pain is temporary. The memories last forever . . .
If Kris can take 100 days of chemo and radiation, I can take a few more tough miles . . .
In Memory of Dennis T . . .
Just keep going . . .
Just. Keep. Going!
I stood up.
“What are you doing?” Anne said.
I showed her the tag I’d picked up.
“Someone was walking or running for these people, and it didn’t seem right to leave them here on the ground. I’m going to take them with me.”
“Okay,” she said.
“How are you doing?” I asked.
“Okay. Let’s just keep going.” She said. I hear that women have been trying to find ways into their husband’s heads for centuries . . . maybe she’d done it!
I stood up, and clipped the tag onto my shorts.
“Yeah. Let’s just keep going.” I said. Was she really in my head?
You’re one hot mamma! I glanced at her, but she was focused on the horizon.
Hey, baby . . . huh huh huh.
“What?” She said.
“What?!” I said.
“Why are you staring at me?”
“Uh . . . I don’t know.”
Whew.
When we passed mile 18, I looked at the clock, and realized that mile 17 had taken us almost 18 minutes — our longest mile, yet.
“Let’s see if we can take some time off this mile,” I said. Maybe having an extra five sets of feet with me helped, or maybe it was some natural athletic rhythm that I didn’t know about . . . but I began to feel better. My spirits lifted, and my legs started to feel better.
“I can’t think about taking time off,” she said. “I just need to keep going.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling myself,” I said. “Just keep going. Just keep going. Just keep going. Just keep going.”
“I’ve been telling myself that if Kris can do 100 days of treatment, we can do a few hours of walking.” She said.
“I’m going to talk about the areas of my body that feel great,” I said.
I mentally scanned my body, starting at the top of my head.
“The breeze on my face feels awesome,” I said, “and my right forearm is nice and relaxed.”
I reached out, and took Anne’s hand.
“Now, my hand feels great,” I said, as we neared a water station. A volunteer handed me a cup or water, and a cup of Gatorade.
“Thanks for being here,” I said, as I took one cup in each hand.
“I am the Walrus, and the grasshopper hops to the East!” he said with a waggle of his gigantic, elephant ears, and a spin of his propeller cap. I was a little delirious, so maybe he said something different, like, “You’re welcome,” and tipped his baseball cap . . . I can’t say for sure.
I gulped down the Gatorade, ate a Clif energy shot, and sipped the water. We were nearing mile 19 . . . and getting closer to the mile that would make 16-18 feel like an afternoon stroll through the park.
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just keep posting!
thanks wil
Congrats on the marathon. Now why don’t you have a gardner to mow your lawn, and a house keeper to clean your house. You are a movie start you know…:)
As Tom Waits would say when he felt like things were to tough to continue…
“Anybody can quit….”
Did you ever found out who the tag belonged to? They probably would have loved to know that it made it across the finish line. I’m looking forward to reading Anne’s post. Good job Wil!
“Just Keep Going,” I don’t know how many times I have told myself that during my life time, and your right it does work.
Awesome job with the Marathon. Your two miles has only made my mouth water for the rest.
Congrats on doing a job well done!
This doesn’t have anything to do with anything but I just saw it on TV:
Data: Sensors are picking up humanoid life forms with isolated carbon combustibles nearby.
Wesley: Campfires, Data.
Data: Is that not what I just said?
Remember those lines, Wil?
Freeman 🙂
Great Jorb, Stramstar!
Stephen King might well approve of your “Long Walk”! (great story reference for a marathon, eh?)
Congratulations–both of you!
Wil, your skills as a writer are astounding.
I was able to visualize so much of your marathon
story. I could even see you picking up the badge.
I felt I was really with you and Anne on the run.
Thank you for bringing this worthwhile event
to life.
Wil,
just got “Just a Geek”. Did you disclose who was writing the foreword already? That is real cool. Congratulations.
Oliver
you. fucking. rock.
seriously – coolest blog ever. You make mine look like scrawls on bathroom walls.
At a truck stop.
In Kansas.
Wil,
You and your wife are doing great things. Keep it up.
FG
Well done, Wil. You inspire me so much. Just by reading that makes me want to go out and voluteer for anything and everything, and I’m serious about that. Hey, that’s one more thing to remember when you are doing things like this. Always remember that there are thousands, perhaps millions of people that will follow your footsteps because of your kind and warming heart. I thank you. GOD BLESS.
~~*Gooniegirl*~~
Wil, this has been said but needs to be said again:
You are a GREAT writer.
You and Anne are AWESOME people.
As a current lymphoma patient, I owe you and Anne a huge THANK YOU!
Emily
p.s. can’t wait for JAG!
Wow, I don’t think I’ve ran 24 miles in my entire life, let alone all at once. My hat’s off to you. 🙂
Glad you kept going on your miles thinking positive stuff. I am sure who ever dropped that blue tag would be glad you picked it up and brought them to the finish line. I kind of don’t think she was in your head, she just probably knows how you feel since you both have been together for so long, like joined by the hips in a way.
As for you both running the race I know it will help current patients and future patients. My grandfather passed away few years ago from lung cancer, it got into his whole body to his head. He was a WWII and a Vet. He fought hard for years fighting this off but he couldn’t fight it anymore. The treatments were hard on him. Thank you so much for doing the race.
I just wanted to say, I was watching “The Screen Savers” on G4TechTV today and it turns out Pat’s leaving the show; Kevin said they were still trying to figure out who would be the new co-host, and Pat stage-whispered “Vote for Wil Wheaton!”
That was just damn cool.
Screensavers!!!!
I just saw tonights show as well. Patrick did indeed ‘hint’ that Wil Wheaton would be a good replacement. It is the best show on G4TECHTV.
Just got finished watching The Screen Savers on Tivo and like BrianP said, I heard Patrick whisper your name as a possible co-host??!
Wil on TSS would ROCK!
I’ll be pullin’ for ya Wil if you decide you’re interested 😀
Seriously, that was the best news i’ve heard all week (no comments about my lack of a life). That’d kick ass because i’d have an easy way to come harass you since i’m down in Diego.
You, Kevin, and Sarah all in one building? Oh my… O_o
*i’m giddy!*
Wow. I have to say that I enjoy your writing more and more every time I read it. I laughed aloud at least twice while reading this (The walrus joke and your “omg is anne in my head?!” moment) and definitely teared up when you picked up that person’s wayward tag. I would totally do something like that, spot on man.
I think the both of you are great friends and really good people for doing this walk. (I bet “walk sounds like an understatement by now)
I’m really happy I was able to help raise themoney, even though I could only give very little, I was glad because I gave my own money. And I gave because you were so genuine in your wish to raise themoeny for your friend and because it’s a good cause, not because my favorite celebrity ever supports the cause and I’m trying to make them happy. Anyhow I don’t know what I’m on about by now but I know I had a point here somewhere–ah yes, thank you for doing this! I don’t even know anyone but I feel like I do now that I’ve read about Kris and sent her mojo.
I learnd something and I helped a good cause.
Anyway this all rules. Yep.
Nicely done. 🙂
I’m a pretty long-standing reader, although I almost never comment. But I’ve seen you put forward gmail4troops, and I wondered if you’d also let folks know that they need other things — like help staying cool in hundred-degree temperatures. They’re asking for things like Chillows and gel dog mats, to make it easier to sleep, but I’d imagine anything that would help them stay cool would be welcome.
Thanks,
Cairsten.
I really love your sense of humor!
I was almost crying at the water station description —
Hi Wil,
You might like the song “Just Keep Goin’ On” by Eric Bibb:
http://putumayo.com/catalog/item.php?cat_id=00016&item_id=00112
You’re my hero,
Rob
This is the first comment I’ve made to your blog, and I wanted to say first off that the waitress at Hooters, while obviously just young and misinformed, looks like she’s done you some good. And a few others.
I’ve been reading for a while and never had anything much to say.
I’ve known 5 people who have passed away in my life to different sorts of cancers and have been told that I am pretty well headed toward treatment myself for cervical cancer. At 23 that’s a scarey prospect. I have two small children and a husband who is not only supportive but absolutely my best friend.
The latter aspect I see in the way you talk about your wife as well.
Feel accomplished you have walked for someone, because it’s through fundraisers like marathons that people are able to have the money for research toward cures. While it seems so far away from the research itself, it is in itself such a big part to play toward nearing cures.
Every chance we get to help humanity in some way is one step closer toward breaking the stereotype that people are inherantly evil.
Wil,
You and Anne should come to Bermuda next year. Every year we have an end-to-end walk. You walk from one end of the country clear across to the other. 26 miles. (We’re a damn small country). Gives you the bragging rights to say “I walked across an entire country in one day” and not be lying 🙂
Usually takes place in late April/early May, so the weather is cool, and about a thousand turn out. It’s always done for charity.
Well done on your accomplishments, both completing the walk, and raising the money for a VERY deserving cause.
As a caregiver for my father who’s batling colon cancer, may I just say a big THANK YOU to you & Anne.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
my tear ducts needed a workout 🙂
i don’t have any other words to describe this post.
you rule, wil.
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