Last November, after completing the New York Marathon, Rick Cooney confidently declared that he would run 12 marathons in 2008. Included in that epic feat would be the "original" marathon in Athens, Greece.
Fast forward a year later and Cooney has accomplished that goal with friend and fellow marathon runner, Paul Wright, who went along for the ride.
The Coast runners ran in Athens on Nov. 9, an experience that neither of them will soon forget.
"One a month seemed like a good, challenging goal," said Cooney referring to the 12-marathon goal. "Running the marathons kept me in shape and not injured and I was able to experience as much as I could leading up to Athens."
Cooney said when they first arrived in Greece it was a very surreal moment.
"Our hotel was right between the Acropolis and the first Olympic stadium. It was unbelievable," he said. "In some ways it was hard to believe we were really there."
Sleep and race preparation were immediate concerns. With a 10-hour time difference, would their bodies get in tune to the conditions? Would they get enough sleep? Those were all things that went through their minds.
"We were a bit disoriented, but in great spirits," said Cooney. "On race day we were bused out to the starting line. There were 4,500 competitors from around the world. The build-up and anticipation was huge."
Cooney said the course was difficult with the weather changes during the race, changes in elevation and changes in surface from running up hill in stretches to running downhill and battling a pretty good head wind.
Heading in, both said they had no real goals as to a finishing time. Rather, they chose to take in the experience playing the roles of both marathon competitors and also tourists.
"To be back where the whole marathon took place was nostalgic," said Wright. "To run the actual course where it all started was really something. It wasn't about doing a personal best; it was to run the original marathon. I had my camera with me and we took a ton of photos. Most marathons that we run, you are exhausted at the end, and you remember only bits of it. I wanted a lasting memory. After doing Boston in 2007, what else is there? Athens is the original."
At the end of the race, as the two entered the stadium, a flood of emotion overtook both of them.
"You are tired and exhausted, but exhilarated at the same time," said Cooney. "It's a completion of a circle because all the time you are running you are dreaming and planning for this moment - the moment of completing that dream."
Wright ran in five of the 12 marathons with Cooney. He said he felt very fortunate to have shared the experience with Cooney.
"Athens was really indescribable," said Wright. "I was once really competitive, but I was in a car accident a few years ago and after that I really changed my priorities. I realized how fortunate I am to be in good health and be able to do things like this."
After most events, Cooney said that they usually leave right after the finish, but that wasn't the case in Athens.
"Athens was the first time we stayed and watched the people finish," he said. "For over two hours we just sat up in the stands. It was just so special to soak it all in. What are the chances we would ever experience this again?"
As for the future, Cooney hopes to run in nine marathons next year and will be in Boston, as he posted four Boston qualifying times this year. In 2010 he hopes to run in London, Berlin or Chicago as he starts to count off the major six marathon events.
"Boston, New York, Athens, London, Berlin and Chicago are recognized as the top six events in the world. I want to do them all," Cooney said. "The love and support I have from my family and friends keeps me going. I've been fortunate to have stayed pretty much injury free, but if something were to happen where I could never run again, that would be OK. I could live with it if something happened."
As for Wright, he hopes to get in three marathons next year and a couple of half marathons. He's also heading to Oliver, B.C. for a half-triathlon. His ultimate goal is Ironman Hawaii, the original triathlon.
"I've done the original marathon, so now to complete things with the original triathlon would be the ultimate," he said.
