Conquering the mighty marathon

NEA Today, Jan 2002 by Strauss, Kandra

For many fitness enthusiasts, taking on a new challenge is the essence of motivation. In the world of running, completing a marathon, an arduous race of 26 miles, 385 yards, is the zenith of accomplishment. This year, NEA member Tom Nicholas set his sights on the legendary race and began the grueling regimen of marathon training. Tom achieved his goal, and he's ready for more.

NEA member Tom Nicholas is a school social worker and former teacher at Bennet Middle School in Manchester, Connecticut.

An avid runner, Nicholas decided this year to shoot for the supreme runners' achievement: completing a marathon.

"I was in fairly decent shape due to my normal exercise routine," says Nicholas. "A marathon is something I've always wanted to do. I admire the ancient runners, such as the Native Americans who brought messages between tribes. It is one of the ultimate physical accomplishments."

The main obstacle for Nicholas was time. Marathon training takes hours each day, and working in a middle school doesn't always afford him that liberty.

"I work in a big school where I am constantly busy," says Nicholas. "Working out helps me a lot in coping with the daily stress of my job, but the hardest part is making time for it. I give myself the time, though, because I know I'm going to function better at home and at school."

Nicholas chose the Nashville Country Music Marathon for the big test, and to help motivate himself to train, he teamed up with a friend and teacher in Nashville. The two kept track of each other's progress via E-mail.

The training paid off. When race day came, in April, Nicholas completed the marathon in Nashville. He was so invigorated by the experience that he decided to go a step further; he entered the prestigious Boston Marathon and is currently in training again.

Nicholas explains that for the bigger marathons, such as Boston's, one must have a very fast qualifying time in order to compete.

"My qualifying time is that of a 70-year-old woman," Nicholas laughingly admits. "But the marathon allows folks like me to compete by partnering with an organization. Boston's Home for Little Wanderers is sponsoring me for the Boston Marathon. I raise funds for their organization and they give me a slot in the race."

Little Wanderers is a private, nonprofit child and family service agency devoted to providing support to more than 11,000 children and families annually through residential care, special education, and community-based services.

Nicholas chose this agency in order to extend his commitment to helping children beyond his own school community.

Even when he's not training for a marathon, Nicholas exercises three to four times a week. His observations about the benefits of regular exercise are useful even if running a marathon is not a realistic option for many.

"I notice a difference in myself if I'm not exercising regularly," says Nicholas. "My energy isn't as high. My clarity of thought is not as good. Exercise is a huge stress reliever for me.

"I believe that the mind, body, soul, and spirit must be in balance for your whole person to be healthy. If you don't take care of yourself, you cannot take care of others." V

-Kendra Strauss

NEA Health Information Network