IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RACE A RUNNER

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My first attempt at a Boston Qualifier (BQ) was at the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon in 2008. I was working for Running Room and was swept up in the fervor of marathoning by customers, friends and family members that either ran marathons or wanted to run marathons. I quickly discovered a support system was the elixir that would keep my motivation fueled.

For some, motivation may be an individual we run with multiple times during the week. For others it’s the weekend group run that keeps us on task. I ran for years on my own, however when I ramped up training to point for a specific marathon time, it was the training with and encouragement by others that helped me reach my goal in the fall of 2016 with a BQ -11:52 for 2018.

When we toe the line on April 16th, each of our village-of-supporters will be thinking of us and, in spirit, will be along for the ride. We’ll have times during the race that we’ll think of them; we’ll run a mile in honor of the effort they gave us during a training run, and we’ll crack a smile for them as we think of a workout that produced as much humor as it did sweat.

As race day draws near, I try to remember my supporters and keep them in the loop on what’s going on, to share the excitement and make sure they feel part of this historic event. Like the cheering crowds that line the course on race day, our village-of-supporters are there to help us succeed and it’s only fair we acknowledge them every chance we get.  I can’t wait to share the experience of running the Boston Marathon with my family and friends. Without their support I wouldn’t be the runner I am today.

 Brian James Siddons

3.23.18

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