YES WE DID!!! CHANGE IS POSSIBLE!!!

It was an extraordinary run...absolutely breath taking. The energy, the scenery, the people...AMAZING! The challenge of the body and mind and the power of an individual to push themselves through pure physical and mental exhaustion. Three words..."YES YOU CAN."

I'll be honest, I didn't have any goals set for myself for the marathon. I simply wanted to cross that finish line. I knew it was going to be hard. My body and mind was not ready and I knew that I didn't train as hard as I could have. I wasn't sure which interval to do...1 mile run with 1 minute walk or 2 mile run with 1 minute walk...I was clueless. One thing I knew for sure, I was not going to run the whole 13.1 mile. Doubt took over and I feared that I was not strong enough. So to make things easy and non-stressful, I decided to go with the flow. I'll run, I'll walk, and I'll rest as needed, but I will cross that finish line!

We woke up at 4am and had a warm hearty breakfast. I had rice, sausages, and eggs. Sorry folks, I can't live without my rice! We took our vitamins, down our water, and headed out to our destination. By the time we got there and parking was done with, we had 12 minutes left before the race started. We rushed over, grabbed our place in line, one more encouraging group hug, and the race started.

I took that first step, then the second, third, and I felt my body moving. I saw the people, the runners, and the excitement growing. I decided to keep pace with Hua. Runners were passing us, but we kept at a steady pace. After ten minutes of running, I can feel my body heating up. I needed a cool down and my prayers was answer! Rain came stumbling down on us and we ran with the rain! It has been a long time since I felt that feeling of total carefree freedom! It felt as if the rain washed away the troubles, stress, and the chains of responsibilities. I felt the rain dancing upon my skin, the pavement moving under me, and I heard my own laughter of pure enjoyment. For once, I felt like me again. It was an amazing feeling.

Mile 5! YES! the furthest I've ran non-stop and we did it in 59 minutes! I was excited! We hi-5 each other and saw other teams cheering each other on. I decided to run another mile before taking a walk break. Then mile 6 came...nope, still feeling good, going one more mile before walk break. The 1st hill arrived, I paced myself and made it up and came down. Mile 7, still good, not resting just yet. 2nd hill, not too bad:-) Then mile 8 came with a vengeance... the 3rd hill...OH MY LORD! Help me up this hill! This hill was the boogie man and it was ready to eat all of us alive. My original plan of attack was to surrender and walk up this monster, but I changed my mind at the last minute. I laughed at that monster of a hill who knows why, maybe from exhaustion or from the anticipation of this hill. All I know is making good light of the situation ease the tension of running up this hill. Hua and I kept at a steady pace and stormed up the hill nice and steady. Other runners were walking up and cheering us on! We made it! Yes we did! And the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow was... WATER!!! Good and delicious hydrating water! Yes I made it up the hill, and yes, it took my breath away. We steady ourselves and ran at a comfortable pace again.

By mile 9 or 10, I felt my knees. I felt the ache kicking in, but at this point I have already decided to run the whole way through. Why not right? I'm so close to the finish line. If I take that walk break, that would have been it. It would have been too easy for me to give up. So I didn't and I ran and ran and ran a bit longer. From Mile 9 to 12 it was a blur to me. It was mentally and physically challenging. All I know was that my arms and legs kept moving. By Mile 12, I was so ready to get this race done with. All that I could think about was the finish line. Reaching that finish line meant rest for my legs and water. Then something happend. I don't know what happened next, but I felt a burst of energy and I used that to finish the last half mile. Seeing that 13 mile mark, I told myself, "Yes! It's almost over. I have to concentrate, I have to keep moving, so close, don't give up!" The crowds were cheering the runners on. To the left of me, I saw Hua's family. To the right, I saw a bicyclist cheering the runner in front of me on. And to the front of me, what I have been pushing and challenging myself for the last 13 miles....the FINISH line! So close, so close, so close! Then I heard them call my name and I knew...Yes I I DID IT!!!! I've crossed the finished line!!!

I ran the whole 13.1 and I clocked in at 2:33:27. I am very happy with the outcome. Many doubted me. Many assumed that I will quit. Even made me doubt myself. They were shocked to hear that I finished and ran the whole 13 miles. No congrats, no good job, no support. It's disappointing, but it's alright. My biggest supporters were my babies. They supported me from the beginning to the very end and I love them! Oh, one more who did supported me, you know who you are, Thank you for you kindness!!! Thank you Hua and Sam for running with me.

This has been an incredible journey, and it is not the end, but only the beginning. I am thankful that my first race has brought on so many different elements to this challenge. Rain, hills, humidity, and gloomy clouds. I wouldn't wish for anything different. It was perfect! And to have ran it with such wonderful friends, even better!!!

I'm still in recovery zone...4 days, 4 miles, only 9 more days to go! I'll see you on the road again!

~ Thanks to all!!!
Pang