It hurt. Every step I took on that last loop hurt. Yet, I kept putting one foot in front of the other, knowing the eventual end was near. When I was finished, I was consumed with a sense of satisfaction as I realized I had done something I thought I never could.
On Nov. 8, 2024, I wrote down a training plan in my notes app that would let me be able to run twenty miles. On Jan. 8, 2025, exactly two months since my first run of the training, I completed my first 20-mile run.
Some friends, family, and loved ones asked why I did this. It was simple, I originally wanted to run a marathon during Christmas break. However, I couldn’t find one in my area around the time before I would have to go back to school. So, I created a 1.8 mile loop around my neighborhood that would be the “course” for this run. I lowered it to twenty miles because I wanted my first time running the entire 26.2 miles to be at an actual event, not my neighborhood.
As the weeks went on, my long run days, which were on Fridays, went up by two miles. Eventually, leading me to the twenty miles, however, I had to stop running for two weeks because I sprained my ankle badly. So, I used those two weeks to focus on the goal and do whatever it took recovery-wise to get my ankle fully healed.
After weeks of dialing into my nutrition, recovery, and workouts, the day finally came. I got very lucky on the day, as it was a nice day out, reaching a warm 47 degrees. To say I was nervous was an understatement, to say the least. I made the nerves go away as I took that first step. Hearing my watch update my pace after every mile made me realize how much longer I had.
However, that’s when I realized how to have fun with it and enjoy the peace of being alone. I don’t carry my phone or listen to music whenever I run. I let my mind take me to highs and lows of life. It allows me reflect on past mistakes and achievements within my twenty years of life.
Around mile 1o, I realized how I shouldn’t say easy but relaxing the first ten has been. However, this is because I have done this mileage before. After mile 13, I would be stepping into unknown territory. I decided not to exceed twelve miles throughout my entire training for this. This is because after my ankle sprain, I didn’t want to hurt it any worse by doing long runs. So, this unknown territory would be the most prominent mental test yet.
Sure enough, after mile 15, the wheels fell off the bus. My hamstrings were on fire along with my Achilles. My calves were cramping like someone squeezing them to death. So, I took a break and that doubt began to creep in. Whenever that doubt creeps into your life, that’s when you will find out about how mentally strong you indeed are.
So, I stopped feeling sorry for myself, said a couple of curse words after I began my first steps, and started running the loop I had created. Running, and especially running long distances, can teach you a lot about yourself. That’s why I have grown such a passion for it the past two years. The biggest lesson that I have taken away from it is becoming obsessed with being bored.
The “boring” aspects of your life may be the most important. It can teach you about yourself, how to adapt to an uncomfortable situation. So, that’s exactly what I did, I adapted to the pain and discomcomfort, during the last miserable three miles.
My watch updated me one last time, alerting me that I just finished the twenty miles. It was then that I realized I did something that I would consider extraordinary.
Overcoming doubt, discovering myself through mental and physical challenges is how I would define extraordinary.
Then again, that’s just my point of view.
