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‘Twas the day before Marathon, when all through the bus
our runners were stirring and starting to fuss.
Their sneakers broken in and ready to go,
with hopes that in “Philly” there wouldn’t be snow.
The kids were all nestled snug in their seats,
while visions of race day jittered their feet.
With “Coach P” riding shot gun, checking the map,
others just pondered that 26.2 lap.
When sprang from our lips, a variety of chatter,
memories of the long journey- the subject matter.
How the first day of training went by like a flash,
and why that first mile felt more like a crash.
The kids were excited when they started to go
until the true meaning of “miles” started to show.
When reality of the goal finally appeared
the road to “marathon” became painfully clear.
With a host of interest and mentors to help out,
we knew in a moment- there was no doubt
More rapid than rabbits, the runners they came,
and it didn’t take long to know each other by name!
After that first mile ended, the increase began,
and before we knew it, a 5K was the plan.
The Mid Hudson Bridge- that first race was new
and proved successful for the entire crew.
Then race day in Wappingers…the initial 10K
“These hills are tough” many heard say;
But the miles passed by with protests abound,
and we all made it back, yes, safe and sound.
The days of spring passes, summer-break came,
and the heat of the season soon was to blame.
An ocean of water stops and lots of ice packs,
helped us get through without much slack.
The blisters they twinkled! The Charlie horses merry!
Aching muscles were painful and a burden to carry!
But the will of each runner held all the way through,
as pain of the “Classic” became something new.
The reasons for stopping- we’ve heard them all,
from stitches to headaches, the big and the small.
The cries for mercy, the threats to just quit,
were answered by words “C’mon you can do it”!
We’ve eaten our oatmeal, peanut butter and more…
and gained an appreciation for Motrin when sore!
The gel packs and knowledge of Gatorade ahead,
motivated our souls and eased the dread.
So we’ve prepared our legs, made sure our feet work,
we’ll eat a lot of pasta because FOOD is our perk;
And when we lay our heads down early tonight,
we’ll dream of tomorrow’s run of our life!
We’re prepared for the challenge- to our team give a whistle!
We’ll all run tomorrow like rocketed missiles.
Then hear us exclaim, as we run out of sight,
“Happy Marathon to all, and to all a good-night”!
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