My First Marathon: 26 (.2) Miles of Gratitude

This year I ran the San Francisco Marathon.  Not a great choice for a first-time marathoner, but nonetheless I met my goal of *finish and don’t die.* 🙂

As I ran, I meditated on something that I was grateful for in my life for every mile.  It kept me focused and positive as I completed one of the most difficult goals I had ever set for myself.  It was easier to mentally rise above my knee pain and exhaustion when I had all of these blessings in the forefront of my mind with each step.

1. Fresh beginnings. New chapters.
2. Opportunities to grow and be brave.
3. Old friendships that feel like home.
4. Each muscle and tendon and joint and bone that supports my body and spirit each day.
5. When things that used to be hard are eventually easy.
6. A strong, supportive partner in life who cheers me on and teaches me how to be my best self every day.
7. My late 20s. So much growing has happened here.
8. This porta-potty over here with almost no line.  Thank you, race day porta-potty gods.
9. The desert in all of its infinite beauty and unforgiving training conditions. The fact that I have gotten to call that paradise home all this time.
10. Cool air and cloudy skies on race day.
11. This chance to be proud of not only myself, but of my friends, acquaintances, and each stranger who crosses this finish line before me, with me, and after me.
12. The opportunity to learn what it means to become a runner from a group of amazing coaches and athletes in southern Arizona.
13. Every humbling hill to show me what I’m capable of accomplishing.
14. The support of the global running community. Collective struggle. Camaraderie.
15. The beauty of this race course. The Golden Gate Bridge, the parks and beaches, sky scrapers and lovely neighborhoods.
16. My access to the means I needed to make this goal a reality (money, privilege, travel, equipment, time, etc.).
17. Every mile that came before this one to prepare me for today. Each long run and speed workout and yoga class.
18. Great music and wireless headphones.
19. Perfectly timed water and fuel stations.
20. Neighbors, fans, and volunteers who line the streets with their signs, orange slices, and smiles to cheer us on.
21. Each ache and pain telling me how alive I am every step of the way.  Soreness that will surely stick around tomorrow to remind me of what I’ve accomplished.
22. Mental strength and fortitude.
23. The ability to persist even when my body feels like quitting.
24. New friendships.
25. Finish lines.
26. The next race journey.

(.2) All hard and painful things eventually come to an end.