We all have a checklist or two of a list of things we would like to do, in a day, month, year, and lifetime… I think we call these lists our goals. Sometimes these goals get accomplished and other times they are evolved but either way it's important to see that the goals we strive for are carrots that move us along on our path and help us create our journey and hopefully provide an adventure along the way. I am happy to say that I can officially check one more thing off my ginormous list it goes a little something like this: Run a marathon by 30. So I am a year late but 8 years in training and I finally did it, I ran my first complete marathon on Sunday July 25, 2010 in San Francisco, California and it took me 4 hours 14 minutes and 39 seconds!!! WOO HOO!!! In reality this is not only an accomplishment but an experiment, a challenge, a fear, a desire, a goal, and a joy all wrapped up into one.
I started running competitively when I was in 5th grade at the ripe age of 10 I think. I remember my P.E. coach telling me that I am a good runner (whatever that means) and he wants me to run the mile race for the M.E.Os, I have no idea what the acronym stands for but I do remember it being a big deal. I ran the race and finished in first and with that started my running journey. I ran for soccer, I ran for track and field, and I ran for fun! I loved the thrill and the nervousness of having my feet in the blocks waiting for the gun start… running on the outer lane and cutting into the first lane… ahh…. It was fun! I continued running as a hobby in college, it was the only thing I did and it was my everything: Workout, mediation, getaway, you name it and I would run for it. And then one day it ended... I went for a run and my knees decided they were done with the abuse and buckled. They became extremely inflamed and it manifested in excruciating pain. I couldn't even walk up my stairs let alone think of running. I had no idea what caused it but the only cure was to stop running and start listening to my body and that was the start of my journey. Searching for an alternative led me to my first yoga class in Sacramento.
Over the years Yoga has become an integral part of my physical healing process as well as mental strength but never could replace the runners high. Every now and then I would test out the knees with a run and hit my wall after a couple of miles and have to walk or limp the rest of the way home. It sucked! I tested out various terrains and found that hills were less painful and that became my new thing… it slowly built my quad strength and increased my mileage. 4 years ago I was thrilled to run 3 miles a day. My yoga practice taught me a lot about lifting my energy up and staying strong in the core so I applied that to running and became a little lighter on my feet. Some days were good some not so good. 2 years ago I started Crossfit with one of the first wods being a 5k run… over time the various workouts dramatically increased my strength and improved my alignment. The CF fed the yoga and vice versa and together they fueled my runs. 5-8 miles became bearable but the thought of even doing a half marathon seemed like craziness until it became a reality a year ago.
After finishing the SF half marathon I thought to myself how people continue running… my hips were in pain and my knees a little sore but I said to myself to others that I was going to run the full next year! 4 months ago the SF marathon was just around the corner and I had started my training with an 8 mile run and a few weeks behind schedule. 2 months into training and I was already missing runs due to obligations… not to mention I had still not signed up for the marathon and barely peeped that I was going thinking about doing it, gave me the option to back out. But with only a month or so left until the marathon I had done a 13 mile run and officially signed up! The longest run I did was 18 miles and then my tapering off started a little sooner than planned, again due to obligations. The more people knew I was running it the more real it became! My goal was to finish, my fear was passing out flat on my face and my adventure was to see what happened after mile 13.1 and even more so after mile 18. Everyone talked about the "wall" that people hit… yikes! Am I going to crumble?
I woke up bright and early at 4:45am on Sunday morning having slept on nerves and feeling the anticipation, I ate some food, hydrated, partially hoped the cab would just not arrive and then ran to jump inside the minute it was out the door so I wouldn't be late. I surprisingly found my running buddy for the first half, an old college friend, who helped me relax and pace. After 13.1 we said our good byes and I thought "now the marathon begins". It was a test of my mental strength to keep moving forward and stay focused, continuously checking in with my body and nourishing it. I stopped for water and electrolytes at almost every station. I observed the sensations in my knees come and eventually pass… I thought my big toe was going to fall off and the forgot about it. I felt emotions rise from my experience a year ago and it subsided. And after mile 18 each step was a step into the unknown and it was amazing! I think I was actually smiling. I had painted my nails a bright red orange with the thought that the color would inspire me as I started crashing and at mile 21 I pulled up my shades, stuck out and my hands and said "woo hoo" and continued running! The hardest part came at mile 24 with only 2.2 miles left to go and the end in sight the suffering began…. And even my yoga was challenged at mile 26 when I was fully attached to the finish line and sprinted towards it! I took the steps over the line and then halted and felt like the biggest wave crashed on me! Emotions rushed along with my blood and a tear fell with the
sweat… and just like that it was over. BUT not for long… 2 days post marathon and I feel great and reenergized. My body is recovering well and my mind is ready to strategize for the next one. See ya next year Mr. Marathon, thanks for a good time!I read this quote on my friends' facebook and loved it:
Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. -T. Edison
8 years ago this would have been a farfetched dream which eventually turned into a goal and now a reality. Thank you crossfit, yoga, and support team! I'm glad I didn't give up.
Mettalove
Ritu Riyat
