I DID IT!
I arrived at the Calgary International Airport on Saturday May 28th, deplaned and began my journey to the Finish Line.
After picking up my car, I drove to the Marathon Expo and picked up my race packet. Then settled into the Westin Hotel. What a hoot! I was on my way.
On Sunday, I took the train to Bridgeland where the race began. It was loaded with other runners and I was in good company. It was a bit nerve racking as this was my first run. But all I had to do was follow the crowd to the start line.
7:30 ticked closer. The announcer stirred everyone up. All of us 10K-ers were lined up ready to go. I chatted up a storm with a fellow runner, Jeff who is a Canadian. Standing there was no big deal to him. He was a seasoned runner and expected to finish in less than an hour.
It was our turn. The crowd thickened and we were ready. The horn blew and we were off.
I set my pace and most of the other runners ran ahead of me, but I didn’t care. Making it across the finish line was my ONLY GOAL. I ran. The kilometers ticked off…1K…2K…3K…Lord have mercy! Was I every going to see the turnaround? Along the way there were people clapping and cheering you on. That was fuel for my legs and I continued. Finally…the turnaround! It reminded me of the “horse to the barn” thing and all I had to do was get there.
I kept going until I saw the “One Mile to Go” sign. It was the longest mile on the planet. My legs were beginning to wear out. BUT I KEPT GOING! The end was in sight.
At the two blocks to go” milestone, a race official hooted and hollered an opus at us becasue we were almost THERE. “Around the corner,” he shouted. “Almost home.”
So I picked up the pace and rounded the corner. People were packed on either side and my eyes fixed on the “Finish Line.” I was going to make it to that sign running…not walking.
And I DID IT! Made it to the Finish Line and collected my medal. Thank the Good Lord Above…He put angles on my feet.
Thanks for following my journey!
Diane
