Gate River Run

I started running, after a 2 1/2 year break, back on October 1, 2009. That was a good day as any to get back into it and start training for races and ultimately the NYC Marathon which I'll be running in November 2011 with my oncologist. I run 3 miles every other day so I figured I would be completely ready by March. So in January, I registered for the Gate River Run which is a 15K (9.3 miles) and the most attended non-marathon race in the country. There were 20,000 participants in total, 15,000+ registered for the 15K. I was regretting my decision and should have registered for the 5K which would have been a breeze to complete but I had to think "big." So there I am completely surrounded by thousands and I start a conversation with a woman who is a cancer survivor. What are the odds of that? We ran together for the first 3+ miles and the time passed quickly and we conversed the entire time and surprisingly I wasn't even out of breath. I felt fantastic and had 6 miles to go. "I think I can, I think I can" was my mantra for the day. I had nothing to prove to anyone; I was taking my time and pacing myself for the upcoming miles. I took in those around me. There were a group of firemen who ran with their entire turnout gear, scott packs and their helmets. If they can run with an additional 50+ pounds, then I can certainly do it. A gentleman had a t-shirt promoting organ donation and it stated he received a new heart back in May of 2002. There was a lady in a racing wheelchair who was keeping up with the runners. At that moment I was blessed I had workable legs. I wanted to make sure I wouldn't be outrun by a wheelchair so I picked up my pace. There were people lined up on the streets throughout the entire race, clapping and shouting your name (which was displayed on your run tag) for encouragement. There were many who were tiring out and were walking each mile so I was one step ahead of them. I stopped to get water when it was needed and I walked for a few minutes at a time, but I continued on with the image of me crossing the finish line. Before I knew it, I was nearing mile 7 and had about 35 minutes before the 2 hour mark. I overheard a walker say she would be happy to finish before 2 hours and I thought that was a goal I could achieve as well. The last mile of the race is over a steep bridge (labeled "The Green Monster") that ends at the finish line. I ran over the bridge and picked up my pace when I saw the clock read 1:59:46 and I crossed the finish line at 1:59:55. I placed 9,974 out of 13,341 runners who completed the race. Oh what a feeling--I did it! I achieved my goal and it felt amazing. I ran over 8 out of the 9+ miles and a few days ago when I was dragging ass during my 3 mile run, I never thought I would be able to do it. I proudly placed a medal of completion around my neck and joined the others in a celebratory huff and puff and received a high-five from my proud father along with a flash from the camera capturing my moment. It was at that time I realized my muscles were screaming at me so I plopped and stretched which was the start of a routine that I would continue throughout the day into the next--can you say Tylenol? I never imagined I would be able to run a race less than a year after chemo. I thanked God I was healthy enough to do it and that my lungs and heart could endure such a run. This was the first of many to come and I am looking forward to each and every one of them.