Finding Inspiration to Get Back Up After Falling Down

Each year at the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, my Cigna colleagues and I serve as Achilles guides for racers who have overcome disabilities to participate. Achilles is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities participate in athletic events. I love being an Achilles guide and sharing that sense of pride with athletes when they cross the finish line. But after running my first-ever full Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. in October, I have an even greater appreciation for their determination.

I felt I was in great shape to run a marathon. I had strong workouts behind me, and I entered the race feeling rested and ready. I cruised through the first 13 miles somewhere around the top 50, ahead of where I expected to be, but not so much that I was alarmed. Around mile 16, my calves started to tighten and my pace began to slow. As the miles progressed, my mind wandered to the athletes that I've been privileged to guide: from customers recovering from the curveballs of illness and injury that life has thrown at them to Achilles Freedom Team veterans who have given more with their service to our country than I can even begin to imagine. Passing through 22 miles, the last thought I can remember was something I shared after my first race with an Achilles athlete: "The easy days make us love running, but the tough days make us runners."

I don't remember the next hour or so after that. I'm told I turned around and actually began running against the course. I collapsed shortly thereafter, thankfully in front of two Marines who prevented me from hitting my head. They took me to the nearest medical tent. (Marines: I owe you.) My temperature hit 102. I was sent to a hospital, suffering from what would later be diagnosed as "exertional heat stroke."

I had literally run myself into the ground.

Yet the little voice in my head reminded me that I never gave up. Like the Achilles athletes who recover from all manner of injuries, illnesses, setbacks and complications, I never stopped pushing myself. While recovering that afternoon, it hit me: we guides feel great pride in helping to empower our athletes, but the truth is that the athletes empower us. We might guide them, but their strength leads us. To me, that relationship captures everything it means to be an Achilles guide.

October 28 may have been my worst day in more than 25 years of running. But I'll be ready to race again before long, because Achilles athletes don’t give up; and their strength, resilience, and courage inspires the rest of us to do the same.

Jonathan Prokup is Managing Counsel, Group Insurance and Government Business for Cigna, the presenting sponsor of Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.