A Journey, 26.2 Miles Long

Oct 13, 2021
4 min read

As I adapt to being on the metric system I learned very quickly that 42 kilometers was very far- after running each step of it in my first ever marathon. On Sunday they shut down the streets of Palma, and I crossed the finish line of a journey I began a year ago.

Upon arriving to the island I learned there was a marathon on October 10th, 2 weeks away. Thanks Google for placing the bee in my bonnet.

I signed up that day.

And there I was registered for my first ever marathon. In a different country. Speaking another language. Having never run more than half that distance.

Time to sink or swim!

What better way to acquaint myself with this spectacular place than to run through every street of it step by step? Many would argue there are lots of other ways- a bike, a bus, a train.

But something about moving through it on my own two feet felt far more intimate.

So niceties aside, how did I get to this point of so spontaneously putting it all on the line for a road race?

For a over a year now I have fallen deeply in love with running. As a form of mindfulness. As a practice of meditation. As a way to connect with nature and be present exactly where my feet are.

Because God knows you have no time to worry about anything except catching your breath while you run.

But I won’t wax poetic on that.

So on October 9th I went into the city of Palma to look my nerves in the eye and find my starting line. But not before I had the most decadent pasta meal at a homey Italian restaurant which had only 6 things on the menu.

It was carbo loading made to perfection.

I stayed with my dear friend Hannah, who both housed me and cheered me on every step of the way. From Ohio State lacrosse to the streets of Palma we've run side by side.

Race day came and my body woke before my alarm at 5 am, fresh adrenaline pumping through my veins. I pinned my #13 starting bid to my stomach and headed out, hoping that my number would be lucky today.

When the city bus didn't come, I had an unexpected warmup of walking nearly 2 miles to the start of the race.

In the inky darkness of the streets, the city seemed to dare me to challenge it.

Relieved just to reach the starting line, I couldn't understand anything the announcers said through the loudspeakers even though they cycled through 4 different languages. Call it jitters, but the only word that rang loud and clear was "GO."

I set off up the coast along the harbor with nearly 500 other runners, all with the same goal. All with hearts pumping blood, hoping our best would be good enough today.

I believe I finish every run as a different person. I'd like to think a better person. But today I knew If I finished I really would be different. Not just in my heart but in title as well- as a marathoner.

The sun rose in all its glory over the glistening mediterranean and so did my spirit. I would finish this race.

In and out I breathed through my nose. I had faith in the strength of my legs and I focused on relaxing and enjoying each stride.

Hills abounded and humidity soared.

But the entire run was a celebration of my passion. One that I could share with others. I felt pure joy. The. Entire. Time.

My joy stemmed from a deep-rooted sense of gratitude. Gratitude for being here. Living my dream and a life I manifested for myself. Being able to do something that for so long had been a distant goal.

The infamous marathon pain never hit me, even as I had been warned of the notorious 30 km mark. A couple energy gels and sips of water and I trotted on.

I credit the previous day’s tagliatelle.

Through the cobbled streets of old town. Past hidden gothic cathedrals. Around corners that lead to geleterias and quaint restaurants. I made mental notes of all the new places I wanted to explore post race.

Pretty soon I was at mile 24 and I realized holy cow I'm 2 miles from a goal I'd had ever since I learned what a marathon was.

Beaming I crossed the finish and my loyal friend was there to embrace me. I closed out a 26 mile journey into the heart of the city and through the caverns of my own mind.

I came out on the other side triumphant and ready for an ice cold beer.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/5dd0b1_367418e6bdf9473cac145d5e349e8509/480p/mp4/file.mp4

I finished in 3 hours and 55 minutes. My only goal was to reach the finish line. I placed 1st in my age group and 16th for all women.

This was my first but certainly not my last marathon.

Then I had a tapas feast fit for a queen to celebrate!