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Marathon 2001 - The Gutsy Road to Glory
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October 21st, 2001 - the day dawned bright and clear for the running of the Bay State Marathon in Tyngsboro, MA. At sunrise, as he packed up the Power Bar supplies needed for a 26.2-mile journey Pachyderm Racing co-founder and first-time marathoner Ed Eldridge was heard to say..."I feel a little nervous."
That sentiment might have been in his bones and his well-trained muscles, but for most of his entourage of friends, family, and well-wishers, there was no nervousness. They knew that Ed had the power and the determination to finish the race - and, of course, they didn't have to run the thing, they could just look at the beautiful foliage and cheer Ed at various places along the route.
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Co-founder Ed Eldridge smiles gleefully as he is told "You can stop running now."
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One member of the cheering throng was feeling a little anxiety- Laura Eldridge, co-founder, coach, and Sherpa. But her fears were quickly allayed when Ed ran past at the four-mile mark, right on pace and looking comfortably in stride. Erin Eldridge, whose columns on running are read the world over, said it best: "Daddy's WINNING!!"
And indeed he was. Through the entire 26.2 miles, he kept his eyes dead set on his goal - a first time marathon finished in under six hours. As he passed the 15-mile mark, he smiled at one band of fans and said simply, "I got it."
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That confidence did not waver - even when the field thinned out, when the sun beat down, when scenery got monotonous, Ed kept his aching feet moving, a smile on his face and a kind word and salute to all those who gave him a cheer. When he crossed the finish in 5:50:57 the look on his face was one of exhaustion, but of happiness as well. The fact that he had shared his struggle towards his goal meant that his entourage got to share in the joy at the end, too...as his brother, Michael, said after the race: "It was damn inspiring." (He then had to go home to Chicago and take a six-day nap 'cause just WATCHING the thing was exhausting)
After the race, the whole crowd repaired to the Eldridge home, where Diana Eldridge had prepared a feast of celebration. Her hospitality - and killer lasagna - capped off a perfect day.
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Two days later, it was announced that Clydesdale-athlete.com had named Ed "Athlete of the Week". It was a fitting tribute to a year's worth of hard work, training and discipline. The Pachyderm Racing community, friends, and family salutes Ed Eldridge for an amazing run, for reaching his goal, and for being an inspiration. We also thank him for giving us a perfectly good reason to spend a beautiful day outside, whooping it up.
Please note: in a telephone conversation a couple of days after the event, Ed Eldridge stated that he "was looking forward to running another marathon." Ladies and Gentlemen, watch your back and hide your Power Bars, 'cause this Pachyderm will be pounding the pavement again...
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