When my friends learned that I ran marathons, I received mixed reactions like, “Wow, that’s amazing.  I wish I could run 26.2 miles like you,” to “You’re crazy!  Why would you want to run 26.2 miles?”

Unless you participate in an organized run, you’ll never understand the excitement and thrill of being a part of a race.  It’s very exciting to be among thousands of runners with a passion for running, and in the midst of the energy that they bring.  It’s also heartwarming to be surrounded by an overwhelming number of people who come to see the race.  These supporters are out there because they admire what we do.  They offer us encouragement and support through claps, whistles, signs, and cheers.  This is what keeps us going.

No matter how many marathons I’ve ran, each time feels like my first.  I get nervous at the start of every race.  It’s common.  Afterall, 26.2 miles is a lot of miles to cover on foot.   And I never know how my body will perform or how my mind will react at a given point in the race.  Only one thing is certain; that there will be supporters, who I can rely on, to offer me encouragement.

I find that cheers help me run faster than I normally would run.  When bystanders are sparse, my pace slows a little and my energy drops. But as soon as I hear the cheers of the crowd, my pace picks up, my energy rises, and my face lights up.  It’s an instant adrenaline rush- my energy boost that carries me through a couple of miles until I reach the next batch of supporters.  I love all the “hoopla” that comes with an organized race.  Even if I am at a point of exhaustion, the encouraging words I hear from the crowd, makes me want to push myself a little harder.  The cheers drive me to do the best I can in the race.  The best I can do is finish.

Nothing compares to the thrill of crossing the finish line.   That’s is when I get to experience what it’s like to be a rock star.  The crowds grow thick and the cheers get louder.  The cheers resognates in me like an echo as I fight to the finish.  And when the race is over and I’ve settled into my cozy home after a warm shower, I will relive that final moment.  I will recall all the cheers, the congratulatory  remarks, and the excitement of the event to experience that feeling of worthiness a little more longer.

“A word is dead when it is said, some say.  I say it just begins to live that day."  Emily Dickenson

Good job

Looking good          

You can do it

AWESOME       

you’re almost there

way to go                   

keep it up   

~Running-girl

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/avegiant09/rguittap

On Sunday, June 1, 2008, at 6:30 AM, 17,828 runners at the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon, in 70° weather, ran 26.2 miles with an average time of 5:01:08 and raised $12.5 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

I was one of the 17,828 runners at the San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon. It was a beautiful day for a run, and I was thrilled to be a part of the event and be surrounded by people with a common interest. I was a little speck in the sea of purple, which is Team In Training's signature color. "Running-Girl" was printed on my running number. Bystanders yelled out, "Go team!" and "Go Running-Girl!" They even called out my real name, which was printed on my singlet in white letters, to show their support. Having strangers cheer me on was very encouraging, touching, and emotional.

Earlier on in the race, I found myself behind a man sporting a t-shirt with the verse: "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). It was the perfect prelude to my run. I meditated on that verse. For a moment, the cheer of the crowd was muffled by the intensity of my thoughts. As I entered into a world of my own, all I could hear was the cadence of my foot striking the asphalt. All I felt was my chest rising and falling with every breath. All I could taste was the saltiness of my perspiration rolling to the corners of my lips. And all I could smell was the freshness of the open air. I was beside myself. All my focus was on the quietness of the moment with my time with God. Each step was a thanksgiving with Christ, my Savior.

I thanked God for my health and for my ability to run 26.2 miles, especially during a milestone in my life. I declared my run in San Diego as a rite of passage as I entered into my 40^th year of life. Not coincidentally, San Diego is my birthplace.

I absorbed the beauty that San Diego had to offer. On my run, I enjoyed the sites as I passed by the Seaport Village, Petco Park, Downtown San Diego, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Fashion Valley Center, Fiesta Island/Mission Bay, and Sea World.

Running 26.2 miles doesn't come easy, but I cannot complain. There is someone wishing they could be in my shoes going through the challenges I am faced with on my run, rather than suffering through the emotional struggles of cancer and the physical pain of chemotherapy.

Mile 21 was the toughest for me. That's when I thought about my personal honoree, Minnie, and the strength and courage she had shown over the 4 years battling cancer. One of my team honoree, Gregg, once told me, "Cancer survivors and runners have one thing in common. They both have to find the inner strength to continue on, no matter what the circumstances."

At mile 23, my inner strength grew weary. Then, at the right moment, God sent me a messenger on foot. I approached another runner wearing a shirt with a message, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Yes, the same message I read at the beginning of the race. I knew God was with me.

My finishing time was 4 hours, 26 minutes, and 43 seconds-a personal record for me. The fascinating thing about running is that it's really a race against oneself. Each runner has their own agenda. One runner said it best, "There can be tens of thousands of marathoners sharing the same course, experiencing the same weather, covering the same mileage, but no one runs the same race."

In a place where life began for me 40 years ago, I felt as if my life has only just begun. Running 26.2 miles reminded me that I am capable of doing anything. My run is a celebration of life. Through Team-In Training, I got to fulfill my personal goal and be able to give a part of myself to make a difference in this world. I raised a total of $7810 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with the help of family and friends. My run is not just for personal glory, but also for the fight against cancer so that others may celebrate life year after year.

The rewards for running a race through Team In Training are priceless. I've gained new friendships, helped raise money for cancer research, fulfilled my desire to mentor young runners, experienced the thrill of crossing the finish line, and gained a heightened respect for runners and the sport of running.

Now that my marathon is over, I can truly say that I had a great run. But the race isn't over yet. There is still research to be done. Until there is a cure for cancer, I will continue to run.

Happy Running!

Running-girl signing off....

To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit my fundraising page . Every penny counts. Thank you for making a difference!