Well, the big day has come and gone. After all of the anticipation, Friday nights spent at home, nerves and physical pains - I finished my first marathon.
This marathon taught me so much more than I ever could have learned within a classroom. It taught me I have more mental strength than I ever imagined. It taught me how much I really do rely on my family. Most of all, it taught me that no matter the obstacles that are put in my way - I can overcome them.
Needless to say, my parents had their doubts I would even be able to finish this marathon. With everything going on in my life I had let training rest on the back burner - and a little over half-way into the race I felt it.
I guess the best way to explain why training is so vital is to go through my many pains - which started at mile nine. Mile nine was a gem in that, chaffing began. Having a mom who was at one time, an avid marathoner, she explained the need to wear vaseline on your thighs or anywhere else there might be cloth rubbing against your skin. I followed her instructions but did not think of the implications of what happens when the vaseline wears off. Today, my thighs are still raw and the cause of much discomfort.
By mile 19, I was ready to call it a day. I had put in a good fight but man I did not think I could win this battle. With the help and support of the best fans I have ever seen - I powered through. Mile 22 - I could no longer feel my legs... which at that point was a relief. I was finally able to run my race without every step feeling a shooting pain up and down my calves and thighs. This numbness led me into mile 24.
At mile 24 all the pains were coming back and I was coming upon the last leg of the race - a bridge. A bridge where I met my saving grace - a dad who was pushing his son and daughter along the race. Everytime I started to give up and walk - he would chime in "Come on, RUN HAPPY, you can do it," "Don't stop and walk now, 2 miles to go!"Although at the time it may have been the most annoying noise ever - it really did encourage me to keep going.
Mile 25 - one mile left to the finish. At that point I had made up my mind, I would run the last mile and sprint to the end. Mind over matter. I had reached the top of the bridge and was greeted by my zeta sisters, who, after I threw up a crown did some stellar zeta cheers for me! I kept running and thought I saw the finish line.. I broke into a sprint.
My bad... the finish line was down a ramp, around a corner and at least a quarter of a mile away. I struggled. Truly struggled. Then, the finish line was near - I saw my mom - as I passed her, I heard her scream "Run Christy, finish it." And, that's what I did. As I sprinted across the finish line, to my delight, I heard the announcer say, "and in comes Christy Stillwell, finishing the marathon with a little extra kick." It was the best feeling of my life.
