I did it!

FINISHER: Champion, Megan TIME: 34:20 PACE: 11:03

Talk about pre race jitters.

I was excited and nervous all at the same time.

At best I had hoped to cross the finish line still running, maybe in 40 – 45 minutes.

Realistically, I figured I would be walking shortly after my second mile.

I’ve never run farther than that.

I always get side cramps, or whatever you call them, and can barely breathe.

Surely this would be no different.

It was so much fun.

Lining up, waiting for the horn to sound and the lot of us to head on our way.


I got in the very back with the senior runners and the stroller pushers.

It was a while after the horn sounded before we even began to move.

Then we were off and I shuffled along, being passed, on person after another.

I thought about the tortoise and the hare.

“Slow and steady wins the race”

Well, I certainly wouldn’t be winning, but if I was going to finish running, I’d better pace myself slow.

Everyone beforehand kept telling me,

“Run your OWN race. Run like you trained. No different.”

So that’s what I did.

And it wasn’t hard.

I felt a little competitive, but I was just so happy to be there, it didn’t matter that everyone was passing me.

2 miles in.

I get that blasted side cramp under my right rib, just like always, I want to stop so badly but I’m determined to do everything I can to finish running.

I tuck my arm up under my rib and hold it there tightly with my other arm.

This makes it incredibly difficult to keep running, but I don’t care.

A race medic on a moped passes me, and notices me biting my lip in pain,

“Are you ok?”

I nod.

“Lord, please just let me finish running.”

It seemed as though all the cool breezes stopped and the sun began to glaze angrily down upon me in the last mile.

The sweat that ran down my back felt like molten lava and all I could do was take tiny gasps of air to keep going.

Finally, I could see the end of the track, there was a crowd of people there and though I could not make out any faces, I was certain Hank and Ethan were waiting for me there.

The pain in my side had begun to subside, and I unhooked my arm and picked up my pace,

“I can’t believe I’m going to finish running.”

I didn’t know if I could.

My eyes started to burn as I realized how close I was getting.

“I never stopped!”

I was so overjoyed with myself, I was nearly delirious.

I was so slow.

But I was constant.

And I ran though that terrible side cramp.

Now I was going to cross the finish line.

I was high with emotion as I searched the crowed for my two guys.

As I got closer the faces were more clear, then there they were, smiling and waving.

I didn’t even see Hank with the camera.



I saw Ethan his little hand waving frantically, calling out,

“Yay Mommy!”

God this was the best feeling in the world.

I can believe I’m really here.

I rounded the corner and looked up at the clock,

34 minutes

I was shocked.

I never expected to make it in under 40.

I entered to do my best and I had already braced myself to be the last person crossing.

And THAT would be ok.

But this was much better.

Ethan ran up and hugged me.

I searched for water and a place to lean.


Ethan chattered on about his fun in the bounce house and I despite my best efforts began to cry.

Not full on sobs, though I’m sure I would have, had I been alone.

I don’t know why really, I just felt so happy, so relieved that I did well. Not great, but well.

I finished running which was the only thing I ever wanted to do.

And I did it in decent time.

All this, my first run and I’m sure every run after it, is truly an accomplishment for me.

I thought back to my brief stint in ‘real’ high school and smiled,

My PE teacher yelling at me to run the track and I just couldn’t do it.

“You’re a disgrace Mathis!”

Well guess what?



Not anymore.