a sense of accomplishment

They say that the "runner's high" is one of the best feelings in the world. That sense of accomplishment, love, success, pride and happiness all rolled up into one little ball of excitement when you finish a race... it's euphoric.

Upon crossing the finish line of the Big Sur 10.6 Miler this weekend... I finally felt this feeling for the first time. It's an overwhelming experience that takes away all the pain you may have felt during the race and makes all of the training worth it. Sure, there were other great moments: the start of the race, the many people along the route cheering you on, the runners you meet along the way, reaching the mile mark telling you there were only 2.2 miles left, seeing that very last hill ahead of you and knowing that you just had to get over it and you would see the finish, the enormous crowd screaming for you as you crossed the last bridge, and finally the wonderful volunteers standing at the finish congratulating you before you had even crossed the line.

While those feelings are all amazing, the minute I crossed the finish line, arms in the air, screaming "I DID IT!" and knowing that I had completed something I had never even thought I would be able to do was the BEST feeling in the world. And I was able to finish in a 12:35 per mile pace at 2:13:17. Yay me!

In the past year, I have learned what true accomplishment means. I've learned that it takes hard work and a will to succeed to achieve the things you want in life. I know that if I set my mind to something I CAN and WILL achieve it. I proved that yesterday. I proved that I could run that far and push my body that hard and smile as I crossed the finish line, knowing that I had done this by myself, and for myself.

I'm proud. I'm elated. I'm still feeling that runner's high and I can't seem to wipe the cheezy grin from my face.

Here's to the next race (May 18 - Bay to Breakers in SF) and to the half-marathon I have coming up (August 31 - Disneyland). I'm on my way to the marathon goal I've set.

I'm on my way and I won't stop until I get there...