San Diego Marathon thoughts

All around me this past, dark, early, cold Sunday morning in San Diego were bright purple TNT shirts. On every single shirt was at least one name like mom or Tia Rita or sister or Uncle Ray - name after name. Some shirts were covered in names, too many to read. In honor of. In memory of. We miss you. We love you. 2001-2008. 1953-1999. Dates and names and lives and deaths.

There were also shirts that said “survivor.” Runners who had fought the fight and were here to run and walk and represent what Team in Training is hoping to accomplish. To find a cure. To make living with cancer better. To make being a survivor more possible. 

   

I had  a good race. A tough race. I danced to a Latin band. I talked to Captain America and Elvis. I watched the mountains glow in the early morning light. I ran along the beach. Considered diving into the cool, sparkly Pacific. Ran up off ramps and under overpasses. Listened to an organ concert in Balboa Park. Made a wish on Venus when she was the only thing visible in the sky. I saw a giant, banana yellow pacman. A man dressed as a lime green something. Talked to Endorphin Dude. Ran beside a court jester. Was insanely happy when my dear friend Whitney jumped in to run the last three, long, hot, shade-free miles with me on Fiesta Island. Tried to sprint the last .2 miles only to discover that’s a really long way to sprint when you can hardly remember what your name is. And then I found the finish line. Then I found an ice bath for my feet. Finally, I found a peanut butter and jelly sandwich which gave me back my ability to talk and think at least enough to get on the bus back to the hotel. Medal in hand. Tired legs. Happy heart. 

What to remember for the next one:

1. Take more than one GU durning the race. Although I had a second GU to take at mile 20 my brain was already so fried that I couldn't remember to take it - it was in my hand and I couldn't remember...

2. Make my name more readable on my race shirt - hearing people say "You can do it, Hilary!" was an amazing burst of energy. 

3. Always, always run for a reason.