For the Challange...

When one starts to even think about running a marathon, their thoughts are purely optimistic. For the secret to running a marathon has everything to do with one's mentality not the strength of their legs or their lungs. I once heard some one say if you can run one mile you can run 26.2 miles, (a full marathon). This statement is partially true I would like to add, if you will to run one mile then you CAN run 26.2, miles.

I have been running my whole life and competitively sense I was the age 13. I know what it feels like to go to bed with the feeling of butterflies in your stomach, and to wake up with the same feeling. What it feels like to get off that bus and have about an hour to warm up before you hit the trail, and you think to your self “I can do this; all you have to do is finish.” I know what it feels like to line up with the herd of racers at the starting line as you breath as though you are about to give birth. As the gun goes off a huge liberation is thrown off your shoulders. As you run your heart out at that race, and see the fans at the finish line screaming your name, you know this is the end. That was what only a 5k run felt like; a marathon is a whole new story.

For me running this marathon was a personal challenge that I created for myself, to work hard at, to perfect the art of discipline. These days discipline is so lacking in our society, and I have fallen into the trap. We use Cliff Notes instead of reading the whole novel, we send emails instead of sitting down and writing a letter...everything is “ I want it and I want it now” attitude. I remember mornings when I trained, I would hear my alarm go off at 5:30am, roll out of bed and think to myself, “This is why it’s called Discipline!!!” But God is so good and gave me the will to keep on going.

About the race, I could sit here and bore you with the intricate details, but I do not wish for you to pass out and fall asleep on me. I will tell you two things about the race though. First it was the most physically and mentally challenging thing I have ever done and second on mile 18 I was yelling at myself to just quit, that this was so stupid to run 26miles! People were cheering me on, and I wanted to tell them that "we" the marathon runners, were nuts, why! why! why! But then I remembered all the kids at St.Jude and how this race was for them, how I had been training for 4 months for this race, but realy my whole life, and suddenly I got this burst of energy and finished strong. So I finished!!! Ran the whole thing and under the time I expected!

Yes, a marathon is hard, well to say the least, but anyone can do it, you just need the will!!!