On Sunday, my dad, brother, and I ran the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) in Washington, DC, and spent much of the afternoon post-run recounting signs that we saw on the road. My favorite: Good thing it’s not 26.3 miles. That would be crazy!

This was a first for me and a significant cross off my bucket list. Of all the runners that I know, I am the worst. I look like I should be fast, but looks are deceiving. When we ran a half-marathon in Montreal in September, I wore purple spandex and the same cropped tank I wore for the marathon. Adam rightly called me out and said, “Girlllll, you better be pushing six minute miles looking like that.” If only. What about boyyyyy, #thehairofajp looks like a mushroom. So there. 

Montreal Rock ‘n’ Roll half-marathon – 30th birthday surprise – September 24, 2017 

My comfortable pace during the marathon was 10.30. All runners under the age of 60 are like Oh damn…. So yeah, it’s nice when you’re covering a distance for the first time and your PR is guaranteed. Timing was not my concern. Finishing was. Trust me when I say that if I can do it, YOU CAN TOO!

The night before the marathon, we attended the MCM sponsored carbo load dinner with guest speaker, Michael Wardian. He is the crazy person who completed 7 marathons, on 7 continents, in 7 days. In his effort to motivate us for the 26.2 miles that loomed ahead, he said that the run was really just a celebration. A CELEBRATION.

Dear Michael, I know we don’t know each other, but running a marathon is not how I celebrate.

This reminds me of another sign that I liked: Run now, WINE later. This sign gets me. But fine, I get your point Michael, and I admit that after having 4+ hours to think about your point during my “celebration”, I also like it. As I crossed the starting line, I realized that this was it. At the end of this run, and after two knee surgeries and several failed attempts at training for this feat, I will have accomplished something I once thought inconceivable. Getting to the starting line was the hard part. Now we run, eh hem, celebrate to the finish.

Running a marathon is no longer unique. What is interesting is why people run. To me, it was a mental barrier to break down, and honestly, it feels amazing to know that my little legs can make it, in some form or fashion, albeit how ever slow. 26.2 miles, and even 26.3 miles no longer seem crazy. This will be music to Dad’s ears, as he is already hot on planning the next one.