I did it!! the Marine Corps Marathon

I completed the Marine Corps Marathon. It was an amazing experience. The support I received, the high of finishing. All the 18 months of training, the hurting ankles, hips, knees are well worth it now. I am so glad I did not give up after failing to get to even half the distance last year.

It was a matter of "Just 10 more steps". I kept telling myself just a bit more to go. Then when I had just 'beat the bridge' I felt a low and was so happy to reach that milestone I nearly gave up. that is when a great AID supporter Arun Gopalan (former runner himself) came along and ranthe rest of the way with me. His support was amazing. He kept telling me "okay let us run to this traffic light/road sign/this walker ..." then he reminded me that it was easier to run than to walk. this was true, but the mind seems to think otherwise. My mind was saying "Your body is hurting, your hip is hurting, slow down, walk, stop" but the reality was that when I was running the feet hurt less and so did the body! Arun kept reminding me of that and kept me running except when I walked real slow. That is the only time that my body hurt least. But that way I would still be on the course.

What an experience!