And this is what I’ll be doing tomorrow morning. I’m scared, I’m excited, I’m anxious, I’m full (just ate pasta), I’m wide awake…I feel like I did the night before high school. A jumble of emotions before the big day.
I went to the DC Armory this afternoon to pick up my runner’s bib and tshirts and stuff from the MCM people. It was really surprising to realize that I’m going to be running with about 30,000 other people. It’s also encouraging, I’m pretty sure that while I certainly won’t be the first person to cross the finish line, statistically I probably won’t be the last one to cross either, so that counts for something.
No time I’m trying to beat. I’m just trying to make sure I finish the run. Deep down inside I know I can do this. I know I’m capable and I’ve been training for this for the past couple of months and weeks. Running has been my saving grace this summer and every time I think I’ve lost all semblance of who I am…I find myself again on the trail and the rhythm of my breaths.
Also decided to go sans iPod. As lovely as the darling Euterpe is, she can only give me about three hours of music at this point in time and I’ll be running more than that. Sad as it is to say, I really do think it’s time to buy myself a new iPod. I think it’s going to be my Christmas/bday present to myself come December. I’m trying to figure out what to have inscribed. Something related to running, I think.
Actually, the running theme is probably going to fall into my application essay for a couple of schools. The theme of how much time has been mattering the past couple of weeks and months. While studying for LSATs every minute matters. Every minute matters when running…and in my job at the law firm I bill at nearly $200 an hour and, of course, every minute matters a great deal to the client and to my own year-end bonus.
Every minute matters. Every day makes a difference in who you become. Every decision compounds itself in the past and leads up to the future.
Show me what you do today and I’ll know who you’ll be tomorrow.
See you guys at the finish line. First round of beers are on me.
Comments (1):
If you count all the walking you had to go through to get there, and all the walking just to find a cab to get home afterward (let alone all the hobbling ever after), I think the number's much closer to 30-35 miles. Which is pretty darn extra impressive.
But the before and after get lost in the periphery.. What matters are the start line, the finish line, and the decisions and determination that took you across both of those.
You did it.