Running Zaidy

How long did it take?  As a runner I get lots of questions. Some of them are funny, some are based on misinformation, and some provoke thought. After the “knee” question this question is in second place. “So, how long did it take?”. It usually follows the question “How much did you run today?” or after running a full marathon.   After a marathon I sometimes answer “I tied for first in distance” but most of the time I answer that I have no idea how long it took. Really??? they’ll say. Yes, really. I don’t time my runs and haven’t for a very long time. I used to but got to the point where my day would be spoiled if I was off my pace from the previous day or if I didn’t beat my previous best time for a run. Then one day I decided that I would stop timing myself. It was the best decision I’ve made when it comes to running. I now run to run. I stop to take pictures; I talk to other runners. When I run on the mountain here in Montreal, I’ll usually stop to give directions to...

Upon finishing a marathon (26.2 Miles) every finisher receives a medal. On the back of the medal there is a space for engraving a name and finish time. After my finish in New York in November 2022 I debated whether to engrave my medal or not. Do I put my official time, or do I engrave “Six Months” because that is how long it took me to train. Then it dawned on me that the reason I started running was to control my high blood pressure without having to take medication. For me the marathon is a celebration for the good health I have enjoyed over the past nine and a half years. And I don’t take any medication anymore! So, what better way to commemorate my marathons than recording my numbers on my medal as in the pictures below. I hope to do it again this coming November! New York City Marathon November 2022 New York City Marathon November 2023 Laval Firefighters Marathon June 2024 New York City Marathon November 2024