Ruffus,” It’s our last training run”, I said to my dog Ruffus, as we headed out the door for our last run before Sundays’ 10 K race. https://www.demimarathontremblant.com/ You’ve been a good training buddy, thank you. ( The truth is he has sniffed every tree, every fire hydrant and then some, over the 300 or so miles we have run together to prepare for this race), but he doesn’t need to know that.
It is always a poignant moment for a runner, the training and hard work is over, now we rest, eat, hydrate and look forward to the race, the distance which will show us, what we are made of, the uphills and downhills, the not stopping when everything hurts, each step taking us closer and closer to the finish line, to that “I did it” moment where we are all Champions!
During this last run, I reflect on the journey that has brought me to this point and my heart is full of gratitude. My best friend, running partner and oh yes husband Martin, with whom I have run nearly every day for 35 years, had surgery and was unable to run or train for this race. I decided to use the time of his rehab to train for the race…..I was a runner before I met him and so it has been a bit like running back to myself and it has been a real joy. Well except for when Ruffus has to stop for every interesting blade of grass.
Notwithstanding the frequent stops, I discovered and rediscovered a lot in the past 8 weeks about myself and about what running means to me. I discovered for example that it is not a great idea to run with your dog’s leash around your waist, even though it seems like a good idea, there is no protection when deer pass by and your dog needs to chase them. I discovered that while running with a cell phone for safety is a good idea, carrying a cell phone in your shirt, well not so much. I discovered that 10 miles is pretty far to run with your dog and that there are a lot of trees to sniff in ten miles, a lot of trees.
I rediscovered that I am in fact a runner, this is different from being someone who runs. I love running, I love lacing up my shoes, going out the door and running, just me and my dog. I rediscovered that running is a time and a place more than an activity, it is a time and place for just me, to run, to think, and to be.
I rediscovered the metaphor of life that running holds for a runner. The uphills, the downhills, the joys and the struggles that come in running and in life. I rediscovered the strength in my body, heart, and mind as I ran uphill and downhill in the heat of a Laurentian summer. And I reflected on both the joys and losses that life has brought my way. There were moments when tears streamed down my face as I remembered the struggle with brain cancer that eventually took our son Robin and tears of joy when Martin recovered from a broken neck. But mostly tears of awe and gratitude for the fullness of life that I have lived so far.
I have decided to dedicate my race on Sunday, to my brother Chris, who died tragically at the tender age of 14, I run for him because he can’t. To my Dad who ran until the age of 88 and from whom my love of running came, and to our son Robin, who showed us all what it means to be Stronger Than The Storm. I will run with you and for you my angels, with all my love.
Ruffus will be in the support car handing out Perrier and bananas.
Susy Giddy is a Life-Long runner, her Mom would say she was born running and has not stopped since. Susy and Martin met at a race in Nova Scotia, and in fact, their first date was to go for a run. Susy has coached athletes to provincial and national level championships. Most recently she coached the boys of Inspire DR to their first 5 k race in the Dominican Republic. This will be her first time running the Demi- Marathon Mont Tremblant 10K.
Race day!
