Quest for Endurance

I clearly remember my first marathon, Seattle 1999. I trained with a friend, I trained by the book. I ran every long run, every in between run, every hill. Although I was beyond nervous the weeks leading up to the race, I was also so excited! I had never worked so hard and I had the black toe nails to show for it.

Backing up a little, I was not not an athletic kid, was last picked for the school teams, never made a sports team (although I did try).  Never, I mean NEVER,  did I think that one day I would run a marathon. 

There I was, standing among thousands of marathoners and soon to be marathoners and some who just wouldn’t achieve that title on that day.   It was amazing to stand among that many people who all have the same goal, simply to reach the finish line. Thousands wanted a PR, thousands just wanted to finish, and just a few actually wanted to win! 

That day I ran with people from all over the world, in almost every age category, of every body type. I struggle to keep my pace after 30 km and so many people passed me … in particular I remember a man wearing an Uncle Sam costume who was clearly over 70! Humbled but encouraged because I thought “I still have many years ahead to improve”.

I finished the race, proudly received my medal and T-shirt, which I proudly wore all that day and the next day. I walked backwards up stairs, cringed every time I moved my legs after being still for just a moment, and loved of minute of the aches and pains because they told me I had done it. I enjoyed a huge meal with my husband and friends who also tackled the marathon. Together we reviewed each and every mile even though we didn’t run each mile together.  

Our times didn’t matter, it was the shared journey and the accomplishment of finishing that made us marathoners that day.

I wonder if I am any closer to trying again ….