Earlier in October, I came across some information regarding an upcoming event, the Firenze marathon. This marathon is the second largest in the country and supposedly provides a route that is one of the most beautiful in the world.
The crux of the marathon mazes through the ancient wonders of the Florentine landscape, traveling past iconic symbols as the Ponte Vecchio, Ufizi Gallery, and Il Duomo.
The philosophy of this marathon thoroughly intrigued. I'd never run a marathon before but the opportunity to undertake such a challenge in one of the most visually fascinating cities, Florence, was something I couldn't shake off so easily.
The deadline to sign up for the event also happened to be the same day I found about the marathon. With pressure to pull the trigger, along with the adrenaline of undertaking such a mad challenge, I hastily signed up for my very first marathon.
Fast forward a month later, and the marathon is set to take place on the last November 28, 2010.
Only one problem, I've been training for only one week.
I know, I know. But with absurdly long class sessions, excursions, and watching Roma take on Bayern Munich (still great, BTW), I wasn't able to focus much time on the 42 kilometer monster.
Within the week I had to prepare, I began strict jogging sessions, focused on tight eating habits, and properly scrutinized every inch of my body, for any small deficiency would cause a serious problem in the marathon.
I addressed all sorts of issues that might come up deep into the event. Things like keeping track of time, gathering proper running clothes, building a robust and impeccable marathon play-list for my iPhone, and most importantly, purchasing the most aero dynamic pair shoes on the market. Oh, and also an extra-slick haircut. Gotta look good for the camera!
The day prior to the marathon, the sponsors held a fair in order to pick up your number badges, purchase last minute items, and basically partake in pre-marathon hype.
As I traveled to the event, I noticed people of all shapes and sizes attending the fair. People from across continents had flown in for the marathon, along with family members tag-teaming in tackling the race together. This really was going to be a world marathon! A huge list of the participants were listed on the gigantic board.
I looked through and found my name!
I claimed my number badge and also picked up an awesome white Firenze marathon jacket. They had two masseurs on hand, providing massages to any participant who wished to have their muscles relaxed. I happily participated and received a heavenly message that put my muscles in a beautifully sweet state.
With goodie bag in tow, I merrily headed back to my apartment, climbed up the stairs (still a 324 step nightmare), and took the rest of the day quite easy. Although I went to bed early, I found it ridiculously hard to fall sleep and ended up tossing and turning most of the night. Blame it on excitement or nervousness, who knows?
With the marathon set begin at 9am sharp, upon Piazza Michelangelo, the finest position to view Florence from, I rose out of bed at about 7am and thoroughly prepared, both physically and mentally, for the anticipated event.
My roommate and I left the apartment to find a steady drizzle upon Florence. Oh great, of all days to rain....
As we walked to the Arno River, many runners were also hiking to the buses which would take you to the starting position. They were all also wearing rain ponchos (from the goodie bag). I should have worn mine...
The buses were packed, but we got to Piazza Michelangelo quickly. I was soon escorted to my starting gate and began my final preparations for the marathon.
The view from above was breathtaking:
The rain actually became quite aggressive at this point, during which I ventured to find someone with an umbrella. Luckily, I found one runner who was smart enough to bring one. I slowly moved over to that side of the starting area and inconspicuously hid under his umbrella. Every time he moved, I inched with him. Quite playful.
Helicopters surveyed the area, filming for national television. My Dad and brother actually watched, via internet streaming, the opening moments of the Marathon through this feed.
As the gunshot fired into the sky, so began the 2010 Firenze marathon.
We, an army of runners, spiraled down Piazza Michelangelo with insane enthusiasm and vigor. With slippery rain streaking down, observing the landscape of the Florentine city, and listening to "Achilles Last Stand" by Led Zeppelin, an epic sense invigorated me with pumping emotion. This was it.
The opening moments of the marathon were quite tricky. Although I had much energy and this point, I had to continuously remind myself not to drain everything during these stages. It's not about how fast you can go, it's about how long can you endure it all.
Pace is key, speed is irrelevant.
The first five miles of the marathon were quite satisfying. I maintained pace, enjoyed the landscape, and appreciated the alliance of my fellow Italian runners. I also stopped during break points to re-energize myself as much as possible.
The rain, well not as strong as it was in the morning, remained a constant presence through the entire day. Fun stuff, right? Luckily, by about an hour into the marathon, I lost all sense of being cold or wet. I'd overcome my coldness with body heat and my track suit was already soaked, so there wasn't much I could do.
As we reached the 10th mile, we routed past Porta Romana, one of the biggest and oldest gates from the Renaissance period. Going over cobbled stones were quite tricky, providing an unusual balance and sometimes painful response.
My marathon play-list (developed by my brother and myself) was incredible in providing me with an array of stimulating songs. Everything from rap, techno, rock, pop, and even key soundtracks pumped me with the juice to keep my adrenaline going.
It was when I reached about the 13th mile that things became quite scary. I hit "the wall."
"The wall" can come at any stage. In the first 5 miles, or the last 2. Anytime is fair game. It is during these moments that your willpower will be tested to the breaking point. Every ounce in your body will be telling you that they can't and will not go on, yet it's your mind that will overcome this draining effect and continue forth with the marathon.
My body soon began to ache and feel utterly exhausted. I had come half way and still had another half to go. Could I really make it? I remember staring at this endlessly long road in front me, questioning how I was going to continue on. It was still miles to go, plus I would need to maintain pace in order make it in the allotted time.
I buckled down and decided to think of progressive thoughts. Regardless of how far I had left to go, I kept repeating, "Just keep going, don't think about the 13 miles ahead, just continue. Imagine the accomplishment you'll achieve by completing such a monumental challenge, and in Italy of all places. This will be an unforgettable victory if you can overcome this obstacle." Plus, my family was rooting for me back at home, along with my roommates waiting at the finish line. I couldn't let them down.
Get in the zone, Arif!
And so I did....
Through a combination of determination, incredible music, and a healthy balance of walking and running, I was able to run past "the wall" and continue forth on my journey through the Florence cityscape.
We pasted Pitti Palace and the Fiorentina football stadium during this period.
Another, almost crumbling moment came during about the 16-17th mile. We were approaching a concrete bridge. As I ascended, something in my right leg utterly shocked me to the core that as I descended, every step surged sizzling pain through my calf and thigh muscles.
I literally stopped in my tracks. I just couldn't move without feeling needling pain in my right leg. I stretched-out my muscles to the best of my ability, while other runners ran past. Slowly but surely, I was able limp and slowly walk.
I noticed that if I tried to run at my previous speed, I'd cringe in pulsating pain. So I developed a finely tuned jog that allowed me to slowly continue without aggravating my leg muscles.
As the refreshment points emerged every five miles, I relished in the opportunity to take in some warm liquid, stimulating energy food, and the chance to recover my depleted energy.
We hit some more stony streets further on, which gave my right muscles quite a scare. Taking it extra slow, I managed to overcome these bumpy areas also and continue.
We U-turned over one of the more narrow streets and found ourselves heading back to the heart of Florence. Running at a much better pace, I observed the immortal Duomo in my sights.
This was it. We were coming to the end of my greatest challenge.
But something strange happened. As the Duomo's mighty presence stood within feet of us, the path suddenly turned north. It was leading us out of the city center, once again. Oh god, this was far from being over.
My heart sank deeper the longer we continued on, for I knew the farther we went out of the heart of Florence, we would have to trek this mileage back, since the finishing line was in Piazza Santa Croce, located in the center of Florence.
It was when we finally hit Santa Maria Novella train station that the bend eventually began to turn towards the Arno River, the path that would lead us through the final stages of the marathon.
At this point, EVERY SINGLE muscle in my body was burning, aching, and yearning for an end to this mad circus. Even my arm muscles were drained beyond endurance despite not holding anything! Yet I ventured on, with the Ponte Vecchio in my sights.
As I paced over the classic Ponte Vecchio, a sea of history, vigor, and sheer relevance washed over me. While the stony bridge pushed my pained muscles to the breaking point, I recognized that these stones meant something.
We then curved into the defining Piazza della Signora. This epic moment overwhelmed my conscious. The classic mythical statues of yore, along with the acclaimed architecture of Palazzo Vecchio motivated me beyond anything else.
The final moments of the marathon had arrived. Pushing, fighting, and relentlessly continuing on, I turned into Piazza Santa Croce.
As the arousing crowd cheered, Gorilla Zoe's "Lost" blared through my earphones, and the finishing line came into view, I suddenly became very emotional. Every sense of pain, passion, perseverance had all come down to this moment.
As I crossed the finished line, I conquered the Firenze marathon as a new being. No longer was I the same person prior to this undertaking. The discovery of mastering one of the hardest challenges was a life-defining moment. I had pushed myself, both physically and psychologically, to the utter breaking point and discovered to what lengths I could overtake any monstrous task.
I was endowed with my golden necklace right after crossing the finishing line and escorted onwards.
Near to tears and overwhelmed with excitement and joyous accomplishment, I met up with my roommates who waiting at the finishing line. They took this enduring picture of me, dipped in all the golden glory of the marathon triumph.
We returned home and conversed over every facet of the marathon. We discussed the physical and mental barriers that entangled me constantly, along with the near-breaking moment during which my right leg muscles caved in. They additionally spoke to me about the other marathoners and how some finished with grace, while other fell flat in the final moments!
There was also an official marathon dinner held in the evening that my roommates and I attended. It was a splendid evening, full of music, endless food (I had soo much), and awards for the athletes who finished in the top places.
The impact of the Firenze marathon cannot be overstated; it's had an effect on almost every aspect of my life. I look at things with a new eye and have grown much more within, knowing my capabilities. While my body has physically recovered and forgotten the excruciating torture it endured (sorry!), the internal gain will last forever more.
It's also something one has to experience on their own. While I can endlessly elaborate on the triumphs it's had on me personally, your own conquering of a marathon is what will seal the importance and relevance of such a monumental undertaking.
This experience has to be the most significant and riveting of my entire adventure abroad, maybe my whole life. Although I may partake in greater wonders in the future, until such episodes occur, this is definitely in the top three.
Oh, and one final thing. I was able to recover my personal stats:
Starting Number: 11329
Finishing Time: 5:41:58
Ranking (overall): 7663/7759
Ranking (Men): 6521/6581
Not bad for only one week of proper training, eh?
