Quite Contrary: Twenty six point two

Every day we continue to inch forward through this marathon of life. There are times when I'm overwhelmed, especially in the moments when I try to imagine running 26.2 miles...at once. There are times when I just need to walk. There are times when I get lost in conversation with a fellow-runner that I've just met and all of a sudden, three miles have passed. There are times when I decide to take Powerade from the happy volunteer instead of water because I need something sweet. There are times I can't help but smile as I run past the little red-head with pigtails who is cheering on her daddy - you know - the one with the face paint and the oversized, home-made sign. There are times I pull out my gummy bears, as I usually do on long runs, because I need a sugar high that will get me through the sluggish low that allows me to flirt with the idea of giving up. There are times when the pain sinks in too much and I wonder to myself why the hell I'm doing this. There are times when I reach a point where I know someone I love will be waiting to watch me pass - and it is those moments that remind me what the depth of support can do for the soul. There are times I'm discouraged as I see the 65-year-old run past me, smiling and strong, as I swear in my own words under my breath, 'fricken-a, what tha, holy couch, ugh'. But then I see the finish line and the people lining the path to get there and I am reminded each mile - hell, each inch - was an essential part of the journey. And at each mile-marker, I breathed. And I deliberately kept going. Knowing that eventually, I'd hurt. Like hell actually. But the hurt is usually followed by relief. Relief that we can actually do what we set out to do, if we do it deliberately. Then the relief turns into accomplishment and peace. Peace that is followed by the eagerness to do it all over again. Sometimes I'd like to find a way to relish in the peace longer. Long enough so that the peace would become the state of mind and the eagerness would be only the spark that begins the race.

Mike & Ty ran with me for a minute...and it was one of the most fun minutes of the whole 4 1/2 hrs of the race. :)

But here I am. Eager. So the real marathon training begins. I have 1,200 miles on the chart, ready to be checked off - highlighted actually, indicating they've been run. One at a time. And twice this year, 26.2 miles at a time. The race season looks pretty awesome and for the first time, I will be training and running with a friend and fellow-Gustie! I should clarify though, I am hoping to keep up with her so that we can finish together. I ran my first full marathon in 2009 by myself, which was something I never thought I could push myself to do. But I did. And now I'm thrilled to have great company. Her name is Angie, by the way. And she's awesome.