It was amazing. Just seemed like the whole universe was on my side this week. I ran a full marathon 8 years ago before my bad relationships and all sorts of crap. I lost all my fitness but began working on it again about 4 years ago. First yoga, then running again. I worked up through 10ks, back into halfs, then joined a training group for running. I’ve been doing boot camps as well. This race took on real emotional significance, like a dedication to not giving up on myself, never to let myself go again, and serious undying gratitude for the real friends, family, and trainers that have supported and helped me. I wrote about all this before the race, cried a whole bunch, then slept and ran it.
Time was 4:26. I ran every hill. My old time when I was 26 was 5:28. I’m 34 now. Male. Finished in the faster half for all my categories.
I’m trying not to be too over the top about this, but seriously I think I’ll look at my life before and after this trip and all the things that came together for me to accomplish this. I’m a sensitive guy so I get all wrapped up in the narrative of it all, but damnit I’m so thankful my life has turned out ok and for something so special as this. I feel like the changes I started in my life 5 years ago really are starting to bear fruit now. Good friends, bebig healthy, and a greater sense of gratitude. In the fall I’ll be doing my yoga training. Life keeps getting more incredible all the time. I never saw this path for myself 8 years ago. I’m very fortunate. Anyways hopefully I become a regular non gushy human male soon. But just where I’m at right now.
