Many the miles

Quads killing. IT band tightening. Feet on fire. People yelling, "You're almost there!" ...at mile 20. Fair enough, 6.2 miles is not as far as the past 20. BUT they are the longest 6.2 of your life. The marathon really begins at mile 20. That's when it truly becomes mind over matter. Everything hurts at that point, but the will to move forward and push through the pain is greater than the pain itself.

I've been asked, "what do you think about when you're running for that long?" Well, everything and nothing at all. During a marathon I like to dedicate each mile to someone special in my life and think about them and pray for them. It puts purpose behind my miles and gives me something to look forward to every mile.

The only hiccup I had during the Chicago Marathon happened at mile 22. I had been ahead of the 4:30 pacers until that point. I grabbed a banana took two steps and two bites and the pace group passed me by. Determined to not let this happen my internal thought was, "Heck NO!" I threw the banana to the side and ran. I caught up with them and was feeling as good as I could at that point. Then at mile 23 my hips locked up and I had half the stride I had before. I watched as the pace group continued on. My heart wanted to go so bad, but my body just wouldn't go. I knew that I would still be close to them so I didn't let that dishearten me. From mile 23 until the end I kept repeating in my head and my heart, "The joy if the Lord is my strength. The joy of the Lord is my strength. The joy of the Lord is my strength." I knew that nothing was impossible and I would finish this. That I would set a new personal record for myself. That the joy of the Lord was my strength.

At mile 25 I let out everything I had left in me and I ran. I ran as fast as I could. I ran with determination. I ran with purpose. It felt great. Okay, it hurt, but through the pain God gave me joy and strength. I finished with no regrets. It was incredible. After crossing the line my thoughts were. Praise the Lord! I did it. Where's the water? Where are my friends? When's the next marathon because I think I can go faster?

It's bizarre that with your body so exhausted your thoughts go to when can I do this to myself again? A marathon is probably some kind of modern day torture in other countries, and I choose to put myself through it. It's the sickest addiction ever. I LOVE IT!

It's a spiritual journey. Learning endurance, perseverance, and joy through pain. Thousands of people gathered to encourage the runners. Thousands of runners beating their bodies and silently driving others forward. Friendships are formed when you have hours together to run. I love the first timers. I remember how special that was for me in January and I'm so proud of them for doing it!

This was a really special marathon because I ran with Sammy Wanjiru, 2008 Bejing Olympic Gold Medalist in the marathon. He set a new course record by one second. I have now officially ran a race with an olympian! How cool is that?! At the end of the race I feel kind of like a champion as I make the medal holders place mine around my neck. I love it ;) I could write about running and what the journey, both physically and spiritually, mean to me forever. But, I'll spare you and just say one more thing. I encourage you all to do something that scares you and seems impossible. There's joy in the journey and ultimate reward and satisfaction at the finish line.

I all to often hear people talk about how they would love to do a marathon, but they never could. YES YOU CAN! Take it one mile at a time. One of the ladies who ran with us said one year ago that she could never do this. It was hard for her to run around the block. And, now she's a marathoner. The only one telling those people no is the person in the mirror. Don't worry about everyone else's pace. Run YOUR race and enjoy the journey.

Running is the classical road to self-consciousness, self-awareness and self-reliance. Independence is the outstanding characteristic of a runner. He learns the harsh reality of his physical and spiritual limitations when he runs. He learns that personal commitment, sacrifice and determination are his only means to betterment. Runners get promoted only through self-conquest.

Noel Coward, English playwright, composer, and actor