19th Marathon Reveal: A Simple Twist of Fate

One of the many memorable songs from the play Hamilton is Yorktown, The World Turned Upside Down. I now sense what that is like. I go to sleep each night thinking, ‘Why am I going to compete in a hostile country?

Under Pressure

It is hard to win a championship. To repeat the following year is even more difficult. That’s what I’m faced with as I begin training for my 19th marathon. I’ve never been here before in my running career, but I had a taste of trying to repeat in professional baseball. As the plaque shows, I won my age division in last year's Detroit Marathon. I realize most of you are saying, “Cool, but how many runners did you beat in the 70 – 74 age division?” All I will say is that there were more than one other, but as I age, the number of participants dwindles, which is not the case with my finishing time, but certainly conducive for coming out on top.. To say I’m feeling pressure to repeat would not be correct. The pressure is just to finish and let the cards fall where they may. Having trained many times will help, but keeping Father Time at bay seems more difficult each year. As you will read below, though, pressure comes in other ways this year.

19th Nervous Breakdown

First, announcing the race destination for my next marathon has always been a joyous occasion, but this time, it feels different. Hint: You may recall the booing of the U.S. national anthem at hockey, basketball, and soccer games. And now, both sides are issuing travel advisories. WTH? It’s more than enough to worry about finishing the race; now there’s an added headache.

I planned to be amongst good friends; now, the “bestie” designation is nowhere near accurate. I’m having second thoughts. I knew leaving the country would be more expensive, but I didn’t think I had to worry about not being welcome. As mentioned, one’s physical health is always an issue in a marathon, but this year, my integrity may be at stake as well.

Throwing My Shot

Of course, I should have seen this coming, knowing things would never be the same.

Here’s the thing: Several months back, I signed up for the Montreal Marathon. In an ironic twist, the Moscow Marathon in Russia takes place on the same date. Knowing the latter country's deplorable history, I never took the idea of going there seriously. It was surely a no-brainer decision. Not so fast! I assumed I would be going to a land of friendship, with the other implausible option detrimental to my future. Instead, I may face the wrath of many because our leader has disrupted a friendship that dates back at least as far as I’ve been alive. Another WTH!

Shadows are Falling

My one wish for the Montreal marathon is that my body races as quickly as my mind does now. Of course, the trepidation I will have in Canada will be offset by the pride of being “great” again. Both should propel me to run like the wind and win the marathon—a hostile conqueror I will be.

Hopefully, I will cross the finish line, and when I do, I will be humming “The World Turned Upside Down,” as I whisper a lyric from Bob Dylan, “It’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there.”