Inspiration…

I always admit that my reason for running is purely selfish. I run because I want to achieve, I want to be well, I want to challenge myself. I would ordinarily profess that, as my motivation is self-centred that I do not find inspiration in others and, for the most part this is true. Athletes are professionals, they dedicate their lives and their working day training, of course they are good. I know there needs to be talent there, but with trainers, and coaches, and scientists making them the best they can be, they do not inspire me at all.

I do take pride in running races, and it helps me feel somewhat fulfilled when I do well. And I do love the camaraderie online on Twitter, from emails and Facebook, and at the races from friends, supporters and other runners. But, as I said, I am not ordinarily inspired by anyone.

Ok, one person does alway inspires me. I just need to think of  Meghan Vogel and a tear forms in my eye.

Note 1: There was another racer that existed within the intersection but they spent 3 weeks leading up to Amsterdam on the 21st October not training at all and suffering from bronchitis so when they somehow ran the Amsterdam marathon in 5 hours, it was a minor miracle in itself.

Note 2: I was never signed up for Dublin. It was only a full, and I was far too far away from being able to run 42K to even consider it when they signed up. To challenge myself, and going off topic a little, I ran two halves in 2 weeks this month.

But, back to Andrew. Andrew is older than us by a good 5 years plus. I actually do not know his age, but think he is closer to the next milestone in age than we are to his previous last age milestone. (You can work out what you want from that). He is Australian, so barmy by default, and had run marathons previously. All over 4 hours, and the first 5 years earlier, and Dublin was his idea as his wife is from there, and they have a house in the lovely coastal town of Howth (Aqua, and Octopussy, the best seafood restaurants ever!).

Andrew and another member of the group run several times a week, and swim a couple too. He has completed a triathlon before and will focus on that in 2013, and I was not really party to his training regime, other than I knew he ran a bit, and always outdoors in Hackney.

So when it came to Amsterdam on the 21st October this year, when several of our group had flaked and the rest (if you remember the post) were either sick, or inured one way or another it was a great feat that every single one of us finished, and finished strong, including Andrew, who was concerned about his knees, who ran in his normal time, of just over 4 hours.

AmsterJenks

Oh, this one was tougher. Just look at the expression on his face.

Much tougher And, as the clock ticked down we waited and waited and then Andrew came running toward the finish line as strong as he could be, crossing in… wait for it, wait for it… Yes!!! An absolutely amazing feat and, although one he is still suffering from and, at the time of writing this, is still in bed in Ireland and has been for two days because he was so exhausted he couldn’t fly back with us, I have never been quite so inspired to run a full, to run two fulls, HELL, to run three fulls, to run under 4 hours, to run two back to back. I don’t know, it is all crazy but I guess that is what inspiration does, it puts ideas into your head, and belief in your heart, that wasn’t there before, and Andrew Jenkins has done that. Well done, Andrew! To quote Blade Runner “You’ve done a man’s job, sir.”