Dare to hope and dream

On Sunday 27 October I took part in the Dublin Marathon. It was a most enjoyable day running the streets of our capital city and competing in the 40th edition of the race, which is a single lap course, starting and finishing close to the City Centre. The course takes in some of the most picturesque parts of the city including over 5 miles of the Phoenix Park, my favourite part of the 42 kilometre event. It is my experience that the Dublin Marathon brings out the best in us as a city and culture. The Irish are well known for their welcome and hospitality and the great support which competitors receive on the race route means a lot to all who take part. Spectators joyfully lined the route cheering on the 17,681 competitors who took part in this year’s race, and the event is affectionately known at home and abroad as ‘The Friendly Marathon.’

I find the challenge of the marathon is as much about mental fitness as it is about being physically fit. To compete in a marathon you need to train; hope that all goes well on the day; and you also need to dare to dream. Anything can go wrong in the preparations or on race day itself. Training for and competing in the marathon brings out the best in me as a runner and person, and helps me to remember how much I’m grateful for. This year I was especially grateful at the finish line and I raised my arms aloft in celebration as I completed the course in 2:56:07, my second fastest marathon time.

To finish any marathon is an achievement which deserves celebrating. As I finished I thought of the scripture in the Bible quoted by Saint Paul “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Running is a big part of my life and it helps make me disciplined in other areas of my life, including work, rest and the spiritual life. The health benefits of physical activity are often highlighted. In the fast moving culture in which we live, we need time out from the hustle and bustle of everyday living for exercise and enjoyment. The satisfaction and strength I gain from competing in the marathon gives me resilience and resolve for the race of life.

The marathon like life, comprises of many stages. It would be hard to run the marathon thinking of taking on all 26 miles at once, it can be sometimes more helpful to break it down to four ten kilometre sections. In the same way life has many stages, and just like the marathon, there are some stages that are difficult to overcome. But with training and practice everything is possible. When things are challenging for us in life, others often come to help, and it is their Christian generosity and self-giving that many times sustain us on the journey of life. I find that it is about keeping the faith and striving to hope and to dream. In an address to young people, Pope Francis remarked that “Dreams are important. They keep our view broad; they help us to embrace the horizon, to cultivate hope in every daily action.” We can dare to hope and dream!