You Can Say Never- But You Might Change Your Mind

Or be proven wrong. Last weekend, my friend Tara and I ran a 5k together. We considered it something of an inauguration to our half -marathon training season. It wasn't supposed to be an event for setting a record, but more to kick off the journey of training for a half-marathon together. I'm guessing that a lot of runners, athletes, and generally driven people originally go into a competition with that benign intention of just aiming for completion, but, once they see their bib, the crowd, the bevy of supporters, and hear that music, then that gunshot, the instinct to push comes in- and they can't, don't WANT to, push it out. That is pretty much what happened to me, and, I'm guessing, to Tara too, because we came to some unspoken agreement that we were gonna haul ass, and haul ass we did. I had no idea how fast I was traveling, but in the end I found out that my legs had done what I thought they were not capable of- got me across that finish line in 28 and a half minutes. It really is surprising what practice, determination, and having a supportive friend by your side can allow you to accomplish.

Perfect timing. We were practically holding hands as we crossed the finish line.

We registered for our half-marathon the night before the 5k, and that was exciting moment, because I was committing to something that I knew for sure that I really wanted to do. I've been running off and on for three years now, so it took me a while to come to this decision. I won't ramble on about my running journey, because I already did that here, but I will say that it has brought out a determination in me that I had only ever (occasionally) brought to school. I started out training for a 5k three years ago; 5 months ago I started toying with the idea of running a half-marathon, and one week ago, I committed to actually doing it. I kinda thought that I would be satisfied with that, but then came the LA Marathon.

Running a marathon was definitely something that I used to say "NEVER" to. So was running a 5k in under 30 minutes. I didn't change my mind about the 5k time- my body just proved me wrong. But that unexpected outcome opened my eyes a new realm of possibilities. I understand how hyperbolic that sounds, but I am not exaggerating. I've never surprised or impressed myself as much as I did last weekend, and it made me re-evaluate how well I know myself. Or, more likely, how much I've changed. The idea of running(/walking- let's be honest) 26.2 miles is daunting, scary, emotional, almost nausea-inducing- but it's something that I now genuinely believe I can do. It's something that I am seriously considering doing. It's something that would make me prouder than anything I've ever accomplished, because it is something that is going to be FREAKING HARD. And when I think about how meaningful and emotional it would be- because it's LA, the city that holds my family's history, the city where I fell in love and got married; because, three years ago, it happened to fall on my wedding day, its route passing by the park where my husband and I exchanged our vows; and because it will be 2014, the year that I turn 30, the year that I finish graduate school and begin my career- I know that it would be completely, 100% worth it.

Snoopy inadvertently became my symbol of determination and accomplishment. Don't underestimate the power of the Peanuts Gang.

P.S. Thank you to all of the runners in today's 2013 LA Marathon for being awesome and inspiring others, like me, to aspire to more than we thought was possible. 

Thanks for reading,

Melissa

SONG OF THE DAY: Katy Perry, "Firework." I like to think that I typically have at least mildly discerning taste in music, but, when it comes to getting me up that hill, you better get that elitism outta my face, because ain't no indie song getting my legs moving like Katy does. Every time this song comes on, I feel like I'm crossing the finish line at the Olympics, arms spread and everything.

"It's always been inside of you

And now it's time to let it through"