Be that guy...

Written by Anthony Demangone

It seemed like a good idea at the time.  Back in 2004, I signed up to run the Dublin Marathon. 

I trained well, but I knew the race would be a challenge. For those who know me, this isn't a shocking revelation. I'm built for...well, certainly not marathons. 

On race day, I came down with a cold. Cold medicine is a no-no if you're running a race, so all I could take was aspirin.

After starting the race, adrenaline kicked in and the first 16 miles flew by. But the cold started wearing me down, as did the running. Not to mention the fact that every race supporter called me "big guy!" 

On mile 21, I hit the wall. Not only did I hit it, but then the wall tipped over on me. I remember saying to myself - there's no way I'm finishing this race. I started rationalizing how it wouldn't be a big deal to stop.

And then that guy ran up to me. 

I don't know who he was - I can't even remember if he was a runner. But I remember what he said, even down to his Irish accent.

If you don't drag your @%!% over that finish line, you'll never forgive yourself. You can do it - just put one foot in front of the other. It isn't any more complicated than that.

And like that, he was gone. And I did that. One foot in front of the other.  Until I finished.

I thought about "that guy" the other day. Who knows where he is, or what he's doing? But he made a big difference to me. Without him, I would never have finished (oK, that time was pretty bad, eh?) a marathon. He probably hasn't thought about it since. 

To him, I say thank you.

To you (and me), I say this. There are probably people struggling all around us. They don't always need a miracle worker. Sometimes a gentle nudge will do.

Let's all find ways to be "that guy." 

Have a great 4th of July, everyone. 

Comments

[Steve Van Beek]

Great message Anthony!!

And, the "alt text" over the photo is even better!! Well done!

[Anthony Demangone]

Steve, there's a great debate between "scratch" and "pick." I am of the scratch side of the debate. Others are not so convinced.

Have a wonderful 4th. May it be "Pure Michigan."

[Mark Arnold]

Anthony,

Thanks for sharing your marathon story and how we should encourage others. I recently "completed" my fifth my marathon. I have "completed" in quotes because I had sever leg cramps the last several miles. They were so bad at the end, that I literally crawled on my hands and knees to the finish line. Some people actually picked me up and carried me across the line. With our co-workers, there are times we need to cheer them up and times we need to pick them up.

Congrats on finishing your marathon on your own two feet and NOT winding up in the medical tent with two IVs (like I did).

Mark

[Anthony Demangone]

Mark - what a wonderful story. Thanks for the comment. (And 5 marathons! That's impressive.)

[DJ]

Great story! Inspiration doesn't have to come with fireworks and whistles. Sometimes it just takes a whisper that lights a spark . . .
Great story. Great accomplishment!