14th Street Bridge - 2006 MCM

Coming out of Hayne’s Point was one of the best feelings in the race. As soon as we came out there was a crowd of people standing there yelling encouragements at us. The adrenaline spiked and the smile came back. Some of the first people I saw were my family. They cheered me on and gave me high fives. The people behind them did the same thing. It was great!

Then, before I knew it, I was climbing up an exit ramp. I wasn’t thrilled about that because it was an uphill climb. My emotions lifted when I realized where I was. I had just started the bridge at twenty miles. This was the only cut-off for the race. I had beaten the busses and was now home free! Even if I decided to walk the last 6.2 miles that would be OK. They would let me finish.

I ended up walking across most of the bridge. When I fist got on I was running. Most people were walking, so it was great for me. I was passing people left and right. I felt like a true athlete. Then I decided that walking for a little while would be fine. I wanted to savor the moment on the bridge. This ended up being a more emotional moment for me then crossing the finish line. At the end of training my biggest concern wasn’t being able to run the 26.2 miles. My biggest concern was beating the busses to the bridge. And I had just done that!

About half way across the bridge I decided that doing the last 6.2 miles wasn’t really that important to me. I knew I could do it. I didn’t really see the need to demonstrate that ability. I decided beating the busses was my goal. Since I just completed my goal I was done. I was a little annoyed that I had to do those extra miles. Why didn’t they just give me the medal here and let me go home?

As I got to the end of the bridge I started telling myself to just go finish the run. They were holding onto a medal that belonged to me. I needed to go get it from them. It was only 6.2 miles anyway. That’s chump change. I might as well run so the time will go by quicker.