Road to the Canton Marathon: Orchestrating an Event

Some people can just go out and run a marathon. They train, they plan, then they run it. I, on the other hand, must make this an Event (yes, with a big "E"). I love to plan parties, coordinate activities, arrange surprises, and orchestrate events. I like to think big and plan every last detail to make the occasion special and memorable. As I plan events, I make list after list of things which need completed and love crossing things off my list. I can be a bit of a control freak when it comes to these things but not in a bridezilla kind of way but rather an "I really want it to be special" kind of way. 

Naturally running a marathon was the perfect opportunity for me to orchestrate an Event. I had many friends and family ask if they could do anything to help and so, I devised a plan, a way to include as many people as possible, a way to share this experience with those I love and not have to do it all on my own. We would share the journey. We would bond. There would be laughter. There would be support.  There would be tears. (Well, tears from me anyway either from the pain around mile 22 or from the joy of being finished or the agony over having to quit!!) Any way you look at it, we would work together as a group and have a great time doing it and I could plan a great Event.

In my control freakish nature, I have sent a few emails to my "team" now with instructions, details, schedules, and directions. They all know exactly where they should be, when they should be there, and what supplies they should have with them. I did stop short of telling them what wording to use on their signs of support at least!!! I think being a control freak is a little bit of what drew me to running. I can control when I run, how far I run, how fast I run, what I wear when I run, and even whether or not I run at all. I am in control of just about everything except the weather (and traffic...and animals...and...well, you get the point, I control most things when it comes to running)!! You can ask my husband, kids, friends, and family and they will all agree, I am a bit of a control freak.

Luckily, I am not the type of control freak that expects everything to actually goes as planned. I like the planning and organizing and attention to detail but what I really love is what actually happens when it all comes together. They synergy that is created when everything just flows together is truly magical. So while I have orchestrated this Event, I am so excited for the unexpected, the reality of what is to come, and the bonding that will occur because we are all in this together. Yes, I am the one running the marathon but I will not be doing it alone. I am so happy to be cheered on by a team of support and love that will hopefully carry me all the way through to the end.

PS - Dear Mr. Race Director Stienberg, Since I am orchestrating such a nice Event, I think we should consider moving the start time to 8 PM on Saturday. It would be so much nicer to run as the sun is setting and cooling things off instead of at 6am when the sun is rising and heating things up. Consider it. I'm just sayin'!!