Marathon for Dummies: 8

Back in August, when I was about two weeks into my training, I was hobbling beside my ever-optimistic friend, Cathy McAlister. When I voiced my concerns of not being able to keep up with her, she just smiled.

“Oh, Kylie! Of course you can! You know what they say: running is two percent physical and 98 percent mental.”

It’s been eight months, and I’m still here, and I’m not really sure why I’m still doing this thing. I’d like to show my thanks and appreciation to those like Cathy, who keep me motivated when I’m moaning and groaning and just plain miserable to be around.

I’d like to thank my mom for nodding her head and giving me vacant smiles whenever I bring up running the 26.2 miles, and my dad for voicing his concerns of me being able to make it through next year’s cross country season.

A great big thanks to anyone in cross country with me who didn’t snicker when I bashfully admitted I was training for a marathon, and to Mr. Chaffee for not rolling his eyes when I voiced my plans for running the one in New York City.

Thank you Grandma, for calling our house just to find out when my next blog entry will be up, and calling back right afterwards to praise me.

I’m extremely appreciative for the people who crossed my path when I was running and flashed a smile in my direction. Also a large thanks to the random guy who lives in the house diagonal from me. He’ll always share stories with me about his glory days and encourage me to do speedwork, which only makes me want to run away faster to get away from him.

Writing this has been a great deal of fun for me, and when I started it back in August I don’t think I had the faintest of ideas that I’d actually pursue it so far.

I’m very excited for whatever it is that’s in store for me, whether it’s crossing that finish line in New York City or dying in the attempt.

And to anyone reading this, I’d like to dedicate my biggest thanks of all to you. Just clicking on this entry and taking the time out of your day to listen to me gripe and groan and complain gives me that boost of willpower I often need.

There are a lot of people who believe in me, and I don’t just want to let them down.

At this point I can’t give up with so many people rooting me on. I’ll go into this summer with that morale, and I don’t really know how it’ll turn out. I hope it’s for the best.