nyc marathon: a day i will never forget
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When I told people I was running the NYC Marathon they would ask me if I had a particular goal in mind. I always answered the same way; I just want to finish smiling and standing up. And I did just that, with my hands in the air filled with excitement.
Running the NYC Marathon was one THE BEST days of my life. I felt like the city was mine. It was euphoric. Everything fell into place perfectly even amongst high winds that were knocking me around as I made my way across the bridges.
There are so many stories. So many moments. So many memories. This day will forever be etched in my mind for so many reasons.
As I sat on the couch that night after the race I was looking through my instagram feed and my sister Erika commented on one of my first running photos. She said; "So amazing you get to see where you started and what you've accomplished today. So awesome." I love that she took me back to that moment. The moment when three miles was a struggle and I had just conquered 26.2.
There was months and months of training. Miles and miles in the heat, in the cold, in the rain, in the bright sunlight, and in the dark. I ran through it all. My mantra was; just show up. And that is exactly what I did. I showed up for each training run even if I didn't feel good, even if I didn't want to do it, even if I would rather have been doing something else. I showed up.
Three miles became six miles. Six miles became ten miles. Slowly it added up and before I knew it I was running 16, 18, and even 20 miles. The words "I 'only' have to run 12 miles" came out of my mouth, and it didn't even shock me. 12 miles felt like a short run. It was incredible.
I did not do it alone. Through all of my training I had people supporting me and cheering me on. They gave me strength when I didn't have it and they believed in me when I doubted myself. Without them I would not have been able to take on this crazy adventure.
I am so grateful for the ones who were able to show up for the marathon. Spending the entire day on the cold and windy streets of NYC. They cheered with their whole hearts and gave me strength to keep on going. Without them the race would have been a much different race. They were amazing!!
Each time I saw my cheering squad I was elated and had the biggest smile on my face. I wrote on my wrist each mile I would see them at. When I was struggling I looked down at those numbers and knew I just had to make it to that next mile. Once I made it there and saw them all would be ok. And it was.
More stories will be coming as the week unfolds and I process the moments. For now I am just basking in the glow. I am still can't believe that I did it! It seriously was THE BEST DAY EVER!
