NYC, post 2

I had every intention of waiting until tomorrow to make this post but you and I both know that if I wait, I'll most likely forget. So while I have a handful of Whoppers I will type (using one hand) my tales of fame and glory. Here goes, (and just pretend it's Sunday)!

Ask me what I was doing one week ago today!?! Yup. Running the New York City Marathon! My first marathon, to be exact. I proved to myself that I have what it takes to go to the Big City and run 26.2 miles of it - through all 5 "boroughs" and across 5 bridges. That I can do something that I was told (by some stupid physical therapist), "just might not happen for me" because of a little misalignment of the hips. That I can do something I thought I might never do. That I can overcome. That I can conquer.

People have asked me all week, "so, was it as hard as you thought it would be?" Let me be the first to tell you that there is nothing "easy" about running 26.2 miles, and in my case, running for 5 hours and 27 minutes and 55 seconds. Muscles and joints that I didn't know exsisted started to beg for mercy. My stomach was gurgling in ways that it had never gurgled before. And my legs? Well my legs have never worked so hard, or been so cooperative, in their 25 years of use.

And then I was asked, "was it everything you thought it would be?" Yes, and no. Did I ever imagine that running 26.2 miles, and for 5:27:55 might be considered... fun? No - but somehow, in some way, it was. Was I expecting to be relieved when I realized at mile 17 that I only had 9 miles to go? No - but somehow, this encouraged me. Did I really think I would cry as I crossed the finish line in Central Park, where thousands of people had gathered to cheer a bunch of "crazy" runners on? Well, actually I was kind of expecting that, but still I was a little surprised!

Even after a week, I'm surprised at how inaccurately I describe the whole running-a-marathon thing. I've spent quite a few hours and many, many words trying to recount for my family and friends what it was like. What it felt like. And I... can't. I'm at a loss. I can't even really describe it here. Will I run another marathon? I hope so. I'm sure it will be a completely different experience because let's face it: a lot can happen in 26.2 miles.

I wore my third piece of marathon gear to my friend's daughter's first birthday party tonight, and I can't help but feel... cool. For as dorky as it may be, I know how hard I worked for the right to wear this shirt. And how hard I've worked to earn the title of Marathon Runner.