Just when you think you're done, you've only just begun...
Decisions, decisions.
Deciding to raise money for a non-profit organization was one decision. Why not? It all started off with entering my credit card information, promising a minimum of $5,000 by November 3rd to Playworks via CrowdRise. If not, the difference would be automatically deducted at the start time of the race. No problem.
And there I was, at the starting line in Staten Island with tens of thousands of runners with over six thousand dollars raised. The hardest part was over. Step after step across the Verrazano Bridge and eventually running all five boroughs with my meniscus torn in both knees and plantar fasciitis. Peeing at a gas station pump in Brooklyn to a tree off a highway in Staten Island and behind a truck, my territory has definitely been marked all over NYC. No doctor gave me their blessing to walk without a boot, rather run a marathon for that matter, but despite the odds, I made up my mind to run anyway. Decision made. Still in a boot, a man at the Marathon Expo sold me some expensive piece of technology for my plantar fasciitis that I believe helped me run without tears. That was the universe staying on my side. 26.2 miles and 50,740 runners later, I stepped foot over that finish line and damn it, I did it.
It's still pretty surreal that I just ran my first real race and at that, my first marathon at that. This was truly a test of faith and of endurance. Thank you to everyone for the calls, greetings, texts, shout outs and status updates marking this marathon as a day to remember, an event to be proud of. I wish I can post everyone's text messages just so you all can feel the warmth of every word I've been reading the past few days. I thought I was "done" after getting tenure and turning 25, but just when you think you're done, you've only just begun. Life will continue to ask more of us, and we give it. We're limitless when we choose to make a difference in this world. A lot of people have reminded me to never lose that fighting spirit. I won't. I promise. Decision made.
If you've been inspired to run a marathon or half marathon, or even run at all (Um, if Rachel wants to run the Disney half, I think there's hope for everyone) after watching the ING NYC Marathon or reading this blog, then I'm proud of you. You are amazing. Decision made..and that's the hard part.
My love goes out to my running team for holding my hand through each difficult moment, every shout of encouragement and receiving "crowd love." I probably would not have made it without such a support squad and hand squeeze and goo squeeze. You are remarkable with hearts made of gold. Congratulations to Ms. Amanda for running as fast as a Kenyan and making first place in her age bracket. Thank you to Playworks and Melba Toast, especially my sissy Priscilla for her constant reminder that everything will be just fine in my times of high anxiety. No goal could have been achieved if you didn't take the opportunity to dare yourself to be another team leader for such a profound non-profit organization. Thank you to my family and friends for standing to cheer in the cold at the entrance of the devil's cave. The last ride through Central Park would not have been as pleasant if I didn't see your frozen faces. You guys are my life. Thank you to every donator and person that tracked us at every mile, to every person that told me that I can do it. I can't wait for the next challenge.
Many marathoners say you run the first 20 with your body and the last 6 with your heart. I think I ran the entire 26.2 with my heart. Thank you, Lord.
