If you take a picture of me from May 13, 2016 (when I signed up for this marathon) and put it next to a picture of me now (after five months of training and working up the ability to run over 20 miles at a time), you won’t see a big weight-loss or Hugh Jackman-esque increase in muscle definition between the two (like when he did Wolverine Origins). I may even look like I’m the same person I was five months ago.
However, if you were to take some sort of manifestation of my mentality, personality, and mood from then and compare it to what it is now, that is where you would see the transformation.
What was originally a grey and droopy fog of personal doubt, disappointment, and this sadistic trial of seeing how far I could go on eight almonds and semi-hourly fruit feedings per day is now full of the energy to do anything I want (except pull-ups because whatever).
I have not crossed the finish line yet, but I already feel like I won something. Within these last five months, I’ve managed to shed some things about me that I’ve been trying to let go of for years. I see the appeal in running a marathon. In the beginning, my motivation came from just being able to say, “I did it” and I could join the ranks of runners who were dubbed “crazy” for running that far. Now, towards the end, my motivation comes from having those five or so hours of running with all you “crazies” and shocking myself every time I remember the person I was then compared to the person I am now.
Three more days until we crowd at that starting line and launch into the final 26.2 miles of this particular journey, and I am even more excited than I was when I read that Sylvester Stallone was en route to making a fifth Rambo (it was a rumor!). I feel I’m about as ready to take on today as we were for what became of the 2016 presidential candidates. But knowing I’m ready for that marathon is all I need.
I want to thank every one of you readers for following me through this adventure and dealing with more Sylvester Stallone references than you ever thought you’d have to deal with again after the 80s were over. Thank you Don for challenging me with this and privileging me with these weekly blogs and newsletters. Thank you to whatever genius at Hudsonville concocted Toasted Coconut ice cream because that stuff is delicious. Also, thank you to all the runners I’ve had the honor of joining and learning from on these group runs. I could devote at least a full paragraph to each of you, but we’ll save that chat for the hours between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. this Sunday.
Get some rest, drink some water, and stay “crazy.” Cheers!
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