Need inspiration to get off the couch this spring? By Marty Metzger There are a lot of ways this club has inspired me to stretch beyond my perceived limits and to continue stretching for new goals, but there was one that was more significant, more exciting than any other. It inspired me to set goals that just a few months before, I was convinced were way beyond me. Ironically, I thought I was doing something for others, but ended up getting a personal reward I never expected, and one I am just beginning to appreciate. Back in late 1998, when I had first joined the club and was increasing my long run from 3 miles to 8, I was working a water station out near Lakeview Park for one of our longer RAW races, a half marathon. At first, it was nothing special to me, as I watched the runners pass by doing something I was sure I could not. And then the magic happened – as the last few runners came through, I noticed that these folks didn’t look like runners. They looked more . . . like me, and look at them GO! Hey if they can do this, I can surely do it too! A couple of months later, I did.
of them taking the time to drain 2 or 3 cups of water. LOOK at these folks! They’re just average Joe’s and Jane’s. Even a retired couple marched hurriedly past with small backpacks – God bless them! A year later, I did it too, but this accomplishment was such a mental shock to me that my running stagnated during the following two years. Can you guess what inspired me to not only step out of this slump, but to take another step into what I had previously thought was beyond my reach? As powerful as the inspiration can be, it took a quintuple dose to break the chains attached to my slump. In the process, I was launched on a ride that has yet to end. May 2001 and 2002 - Grapevine Paddle, Peddle and Pound the Pavement Triathlon – the last few folks to get started in the pool, can’t even swim! They were walking the distance in the water as fast as they could. I had to do this in 2003 after begging swim lessons, borrowing Hélène’s bike, and stealing some inspiration from Dee Stephens.
folks doing the extraordinary trudging through the mud, on their hands and knees up some of the steeper hills, trying to make it 50 miles. Hand them a paper towel, wipe off their water bottle, and they thank you as if you just handed them a winning Lotto ticket. Then off they went, running/walking into the mud and rain. Fortunately for me, it didn’t rain the following year when I returned to become a 50-mile ultra runner. November 2001 and 2002 – Addison, TX Ultracentric 48 hour Challenge – 2001 was so good, that Tia and I had to volunteer again in 2002, and that was it . . . hooked again. I would have attempted it last November, but the facility renovations caused the event to be cancelled. Now a brand new track awaits Mustafa and me, and I hear there will be plenty of volunteer opportunities this November.
On March 20, 2004, I’m prepared to single-handedly man the first ever RAW aid station at the Grasslands run. This offers an ideal, front row seat out on the white loop, (mile 28 or so) to see a few of RAW’s finest (Hélène, Flash forward a few months to White Alan, Rick Sanford, K2, Mustafa and Rock ’99. Back then, the RAW Zone March 2002 – LBJ Grasslands Mel) as they expand their limits by was at mile 16 or so. The first 2/3’s of National Park. Tia and I were out on attempting their first 50 mile run. If the runners went rushing by and my the trail under a pop-up canopy, and you’d like to join me in enjoying our focus was on getting as much water the rain was coming down in buckets. favorite beverages out in the woods out as fast as possible. As the stream No need to hand out water; all they while watching some truly inspiring of runners started to thin out, we had had to do was look up and open their efforts, give me a shout, but beware – more time to check out each runner as mouth. We were sitting there as dry as it’ll inspire you right off the couch just they walked through our station, many can be, watching more average-looking in time for Spring.
Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events! Saturday, March 27: Wine Chaser, 2:00 p.m. at the Clubhouse Bring a snack to share and your favorite vino! (You can even run if you want to!) Saturday, April 4: Applied Kinesiology for the Runner, presented by Allan Lindsley After our weekend run, at approximately 8:30
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