The end of a journey . . .

Forgive the length of this post.  As the title states, this is about a journey that just ended.  And to describe what it truly means, I feel as if I need to share it all – and it’s a marathon!

Twelve years ago – at the time in my life when this fitness journey was not yet a year in the making – I went out on the first Sunday in November to watch tens of thousands of runners take to the streets to run the New York City Marathon.  I was one of approximately two million people cheering them on.  It was that day that I decided I wanted to run the marathon too – someday.  And so, this journey began.  Now, after years of struggle, progress, failure, dedication, doubt, belief, heartbreak, and joy . . . I did it!  The journey is over.

Rarely have I set any long-term goals during my larger fitness journey.  For me, everything was about the process.  “Win the day” has been my goal.  One that is all about the process – not the outcome.  But then I somehow got it in me that running the New York City Marathon would be the ultimate accomplishment.  It took until now, having crossed the finish line, to understand why that was.