“I run because long after my footprints fade away, maybe I will have inspired a few to reject the easy path, hit the trails, put one foot in front of the other, and come to the same conclusion I did: I run because it always takes me where I want to go.”
– Dean Karnazes
I never considered myself much of a runner. Sub-consciously maybe I still don’t? I’m 36, and I could always run fast and enjoy it, but a Marathon? 42km . . . just seemed like something that other people do. It wasn’t until the minute that I got on the bus that said “Marathon Bus,” that I believed it was happening. Which just so happens to be immediately after I messed up reporting to the volunteer at registration.
“Nicholas Richards, bid 2-5-9,” I say to the volunteer as I fidget nervously with a flask that might be leaking and half chewing a banana under my mask (for Covid precautions). “He means 5-2-9,” my support crew pipes up. We laugh it off and blame the early time, but my brain is fixated on the bus – “Marathon.” Didn’t the first dude that ran THE Marathon fall over and die? Oh dear.
That’s how my first Marathon started…
Stepping Out of my Mind and Into my Community
The Nova Scotia Remembers Legacy Society hosted a week long memorial for victims of the tragedy that originated in Portapique and ended near Halifax, Nova Scotia. The race event coincided with the one year mark and was the end of the public memorial that was held all week, and beginning of the private ceremony for family and friends. Victoria Park was a Memorial Walk, where tributes were a touching tribute was paid to each of the victims. The Marathon course itself began in Portapique, followed the Glooscap Trail down into Truro with the finish line being at Victoria Park, where a private family ceremony concluded the memorial.
Training, Preparation, and Signing Up
Signing up for a 42km event was ‘possible’ in my mind as it aligned with the training plan I was doing for the Capes 100 Mile Ultra-marathon. I’d need to test my limits with methodical and delicate progression, so, why not run my first ever Marathon as part of an even bigger goal? Seemed reasonable enough. Needless to say, I approached the Nova Scotia Remembers Marathon as a major event (uh, which it was!) by simulating race day strategy and learning from the mental experience. I was training fairly decently to begin with so it all kind of fell into place as far as distances go. I followed a decent taper taking it easy the week before but remaining active. I also focused on eating and drinking on the move during my training runs so that I could rely on a consistent effort the whole way.
Pre-Marathon Totals (11 weeks): 284km, 34 hours, 49 runs. After Marathon: 326km, 39 hours, 50runs.
[The Marathon marked the end for week 11 of 29 for overall training plan and the beginning of week 12!]
Leaving for Truro and the Hotel
I left for the Hotel in Truro on Friday afternoon. I was tempted to meet with friends before hitting the road, but my nerves were pretty high and I wanted to get my bearings before the Sunday event. I had an hour drive ahead and I felt like I just needed to get on with it. The enormity of the task (I’m seriously doing what?!) and the mental tug of war (can I even do this?) was very interesting, so I made sure to prepare everything as soon as I arrived in my hotel room. I had everything, I was there – but was I ready? We’d soon find out.
On Saturday we took a stroll through the Memorial setup for the victims. It was highly emotional and I was deeply moved, so I ran a shake-out 5k thru Victoria Park and allowed it all to sink in just a little more. I stretched, clipped and filed my toe nails (foot care is the best care, I didn’t want to lose any toenails), double checked my gear, and then tried to sleep…
Marathon HQ! 
Nutrition and hydration experiments, a bit much? 😛
Rise and Shine – Marathon Time!
Morning came fast! Oh Gosh which shoes should I wear? My shiny new Hoka’s I just broke in with 15km or my trusty old Mizuno’s that have carried me for hundreds of km with lots of life left? What if I have to… erm, number 2, during the race?! What if I die?! Decisions I’ve made seemed to become not so certain in those early hours.
Out of all the preparation and time you take into visualization, you can never really prepare for the mental nerves that happen when you are faced with the impending inevitably of running for a very long time. I had to focus on breathing and the inspiration that led me to that place and time to get me going. I wore my Terry Fox shirt, running shorts, and a nifty new rain shell that folds up into a little pouch! I also prepared my running vest that I’ll be using for the larger trail runs in my future, to further practice nutrition during distance and while carrying some weight.
I do not even remember the drive, but I do remember thinking I never wear shorts and I’m gonna be cold. Then I seen the bus with the sign, ‘Marathon’ and I nearly choked on my banana. It was actually happening. The bus ride was meditative for me, as I knew that for every km we drove, my feet would have to cover in reverse. A crow swooped down in front of the bus as I stared mindfully down the straight rural roads, and it flew in front of us for a good while. I took it as a sign and I knew I’d be able to do this. I think I always knew, but that’s the moment I became confident in the possibility of finishing this thing.
Fire trucks lined the roads, a lump formed in my throat, and the start line was busy with supporters. It was surreal. I took my place at the back of the starting coral and laughed nervously, and shivered…
Running Thoughts
As it turns out, I never did feel cold. Even during the brief shower we had, or the cool air coming in off of the water I don’t recall feeling too hot or too cold at all. The really interesting thing was that my lungs felt fine the whole time, and the pain in the legs kind of fades to a constant “hurt” over time to the point where if you take a walking break it would hurt even more than if you just kept jogging! Kinda neat, right?
I ended up pairing up with a young man out of New Hampshire that walked 160km as a fundraiser for the Nova Scotia Remembers Foundation, the same Foundation that is hosting the Memorial and run events. Adrian Delli Colli, is at the head of a Charity called “The Concept Project” and continues to make a difference doing unique physical challenges while benefitting various charities. We ran the whole marathon together at a constant pace and we filled eachother in on our missions. He had some really neat insights for an introvert like me, and contributed to the overall impact that this event had on me as a person and as an aspiring endurance runner.
We carried a nice and easy pace with relative ease. It started getting difficult around 28km in. I remember a rather large pitbull came charging out of the yard of a house we’d just passed. I thought we were done for! I certainly couldn’t run any faster, and this dog was flying. I did what I thought was the best idea; I stopped and turned to face the oncoming beast ready to accept my fate. Luckily, he slowed and stopped just 10 ft. away from me and contented himself by barking some more before the fire truck that was following us blasted his horn to scare the dog back to his house. Yeah, it took me a minute to regain my composure after that one, and the RCMP cruiser that was following the fire truck pulled into the dog’s driveway to give the lady owner a warning, I’d assume. I didn’t care much at that point, I’m just happy I didn’t soil myself.
As we wound our way through the rural roads and communities, we came into Truro where we had a few turns to take throughout downtown to make it back. Every volunteer on every corner said, “Keep going, you’re almost there,” or “the finish line is right around the corner!” Ugh. I wished they’d not have said that and allowed me to grind it out lol. The last 5km seemed like an eternity because my mind was thinking of finishing! I don’t even remember any encouragement, of which I’m sure there was plenty, but I do remember the perpetual “almost there!” Rounding the last bend towards the finish, I jokingly replied to the volunteer, “That’s what you all say!” as I chugged along as best I could. My legs were basically on auto-pilot by this point and I saw the finish line!
Running THIS Marathon Changed My Outlook
Participating in this event was about more than just pushing my personal physical and mental limits. It was about emotionally involving myself with a cause I believed in, and stepping out of my mind and into my community. The work of charity and benefits to community is something that humbled me greatly as I seen first-hand the togetherness that it entails. How a physical challenge can be made into something more – an inspiring endeavor to raise awareness or donations towards making a positive difference, and maybe even help a grieving family see the light in the darkness again.
The support of volunteers and strangers throughout the event, and the atmosphere was one of community, love, and healing. It was very refreshing for me to experience my first Marathon at all, but to add the emotional attachment and atmosphere and it became something way bigger than just me. The fire fighters that lined the way and provided traffic safety for us and the whole community that came out and supported as much as they could given the restrictions. Many would be out on their front lawns as we trotted by.
The Capes 100 event for 2021 got cancelled once again due to COVID-19 regulations, however, my next big event is October 9th, 2021 – a 50km Ultra-marathon for the Harvest Valley Marathon that I intend on finishing faster than my Marathon! As I become a more confident runner and person, I’ll seek to be an ambassador for charities and causes that are important to me. For now, I am practicing being a pro-active and positive member of my community. I hold a new appreciation for what it means to live beyond my own goals or training and expand my horizons beyond even the physical realm.
It isn’t just about running, after all. It’s about making a difference.
~ Nicholas Richards
This image captures the day perfectly. Grey, somber, and a long, long ways to go.