Yesterday was the LA Marathon and it was incredibly tough. While I went 5 minutes faster than last year at a time of 4:38:37 versus 4:43:36 (exactly 5 min!), I didn't hit my goal time of going under 4.5 hours. Around mile 22, I realized I probably wouldn't make my goal, but I still tried to be optimistic and told myself I could do it. I pushed a little harder and tried running a little faster. But at one point, the pain was nearly unbearable that only my mental will was pushing me forward every painful step.
So here are three things I learned from the race this year. One is that training is important. I didn't train as much as I did last year. In February, an injury to my toe kept me from running two weeks shy of race day. So how was I able to run 5 min faster than last year? This comes to the second thing I learned. And that is your mentality is important. I didn't train as much as last year, but I kept telling myself I could do it. Over and over again. That if I didn't go at least 1 min faster than last year, I'd regret it. So my mental state was (somewhat) strong enough to push me through. But it also meant the finish line was that much more painful. And the final, third thing I learned is that a marathon is a team sport. Surprise! I know it's not like soccer, hockey, or baseball. But when you run knowing that people are physically and mentally there cheering for you makes a difference. Seeing familiar faces along the race gives you a sense of support and euphoria as to why you're doing such a darn thing like running a marathon. And it gives you that extra motivation to cross the finish line. And running alongside a friend is also what makes a marathon a team sport. I ran with my running partner (Joyce Thung) who I ran and crossed the finish line with last year. But we ended up separating between mile 16 and 17. The rest of the race until the finish line was difficult. I had been running with someone and giving and receiving support this whole time, and all of a sudden I was by myself. All of this made me realize how much of a team sport running can be.
That being said- THANK YOU to everyone who supported my marathon fun(?) through my fundraising page and to all my friends who came out to support (even though I was dead tired and missed some of you). To my friends, classmates, mentors, family, and family friends- thank you thank you thank you. I appreciate each and everyone one of you and it means so much to me that you were all part of this.
-Jayhee