Its been two weeks since the marathon, but I'm still feeling the runner's high.
Doing this marathon was the most difficult thing I have ever done. The first 13 miles were a party. I was smiling, waving at spectators, cheering on the bands and giving cheerleaders high fives.
I made a quick friends with a guy from Hermosillo, Mexico when we were both trying take a picture of a girl running in front of us with shorts soo short half her butt-cheeks were hanging out! There were more laughs around mile 4 when we saw runners (men and women) not-so-discreetly peeing in the bushes.
Around mile 7 I had a little bit of pain, but nothing major, and all the commotion helped me forget it quickly. The bands were ok. Honestly, you only hear them for a few seconds and then you're gone, not that I was going super fast! The best musical performance had to be a guy in the middle of downtown jamming on his guitar and a little mini amp.
Running on the 163 freeway was awesome, except for the fact that the road gest really slanted in some areas, and it would hurt my joints. That is why I was running on the shoulder.
Its right around here that I yelled at some guys drinking beers on the side
of the road..."not fair!"
I think around mile 20 is when the pain really started to get worse. Everything from my waist down was hurting. Some people say their body just gets numb, yeah right! I wish my body had gotten numb. I tried to keep my 15 minute run and 5 minute walk system going, but when I would walk, my body would hurt even worse! So I kept running...well it was more like hobbling.
This is my friend from Hermosillo in the green shirt. I have no idea what his name is.
I wasn't going fast, but I was going waaaaay faster than the girl sitting under mile marker!
If you see the videos above of miles 24 and 25 you will see the exact same guy keeping up with me..he's walking!!
There is no picture at mile 26 because my dad was too excited to take a picture, and I haven't bought the official finishing picture yet.
I do have this picture. I'm talking to Alfredo on the phone, because they didn't let him on the base, because he had a bike with him.
As soon as I crossed the finish line, I completely broke down emotionally. I had pushed my body way past the anything that I had expected I could do. A friend once told me that when he saw the Grand Canyon, his brain had to literally expand in order to understand this new meaning of what BIG could be. That is the way I felt when I crossed the finish line after 26.2 grueling miles and 6 grueling hours. My brain had changed. I have a whole new understanding of what my mind and body are capable of. I am forever changed. Finishing a marathon had seemed super-human, but its NOT! I can do it, and I did.
If you feel inspired: We are still accepting sponsorships for Young Actors Theatre Camp! The Rock and Roll marathon is over, but our summer camp still has several miles to go, and we can't get there without your support. Please check out the sponsorship levels on the right, and send in your check today. Thank you!
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