Marathon goal achieved

Now nearly 42, I had wanted to run a marathon since I was 10 years old. It was 1972 and I was fascinated with the Munich Olympic Games where American Frank Shorter won the marathon on the last day of the Games marred by terrorism.

I actually began running shortly after that and ran distance races, sprints and long jumped in high school. I was always a pretty average runner, but stayed with the sport at different levels over the years to keep in shape.

During the last three years, I began running more seriously and working out more consistently. I was motivated by high blood pressure and cholesterol levels and it didn't hurt that we moved six blocks from the YMCA. I lost about 10 pounds and ran a few short run runs and races around Milwaukee.

After running a local 10-miler on Aug. 1, I started to train for the Lakefront Marathon in Milwaukee, scheduled for Oct. 3. I checked some online training plans and ran mostly alone in the mornings. I kept my goal quiet, except for family and a few close friends. I did not actually register for the marathon until I ran an organized 20-mile run three weeks before the marathon. Several experienced runners, including my niece and sister-in-law, said if I could run 20, I could run the marathon.

The marathon is a 26-mile, 385-yard run that has become increasingly popular for both competitive runners and those looking for a serious challenge. The race distance is derived from Greek military legend and the race is traditionally the last competition of the Olympics. The most famous marathon takes place every spring in Boston, but others are gaining popularity in large cities around the country like New York, Chicago and San Francisco. I thought about running Chicago with my niece, but registration was cut-off at about 40,000 weeks before the event.

Once I completed the 20-miler and registered, I began to tell a few more people about my goal of running the marathon. My wife, three boys, immediate family and friends were extremely supportive. I received advice about drinking water, walking through water stops, eating power gels and what to wear.

I stayed at my parents the night before the race since it was close to their house and enjoyed an excellent Italian pasta meal at Albanese's in Mequon. My father drove me to Grafton High School for the start of the race. Beforehand, I knew one other friend who was running, but ran into two others I knew just before the race began.

While my goal was simply to finish in around 4 hours, 30 minutes, I secretly hoped I could do better, maybe even close to four hours. I aimed to run somewhere just under a 10-minute per mile pace. I was both nervous and excited as the start gun sounded at 8 a.m.

Several miles into the beautiful scenery just north of Milwaukee, I realized I had eaten too much for breakfast. My constitution was far from perfect, but I continued at a decent pace. About seven miles in, my wife, three boys and father cheered me on at Concordia College.

I continued through the northern suburbs, but lost several minutes at two bathroom stops. After the second one, I felt much better for the final 8 miles. I ran through my hometown of Whitefish Bay and was greeted by high school students in 1980s attire at a water stop. It ironic since it brought me back in time as I graduated high school in 1981.

I felt good going down Milwaukee's Eastside and down the large hill to the lakefront with a few miles to go. However, at the 24-mile mark, I hit dreaded "wall." I had heard the last couple miles could be tough, but I had no idea. My legs felt like cement one minute and would loosen up minutes later. However, I refused to walk as others were doing. I kept running even if I was barely ahead of the walkers.

My wife and sons were there at the 25-mile mark to keep me going to the end. Once I saw the finish-line at the final 385 yards, I went into a sprint of adrenalin to finish strong. They announced my name as I crossed the line, gave me a medal and a friend handed me a can of Schlitz beer.

I wanted to do better than my official time of 4 hours, 40 minutes, but I had done something I had thought about for nearly 30 years - run the marathon. I was very sore and limping, but felt better than I expected. My first reaction was that I never want to do this again. It took a lot of time, energy and toll on a body that will be 42-years old next week. But you know what, if I stay in shape and eat right, maybe I can do better next time?