No. 1: Carlsbad Marathon, January 27

The Carlsbad Half Marathon is one of my favorite events, but I registered for the marathon instead because of the Marathon Finisher's Jacket. The thought of zipping the Jacket and showing it off kept me motivated to train. I tried persuading others to train with me, but the Jacket was not a strong enough selling point for them.

Jacket, tech tee and bib

The drizzly start gave way to perfect marathon conditions on this flat and scenic course. I started out with a few friends, but became disappointed when I learned of their intentions of a four hour race. I joined a slower pace group and enjoyed witnessing the excitement of first-time marathoners. I anxiously looked forward to my husband, daughter, and a girlfriend stationed at mile 18 with whiskey, tequila, beer, and a chocolate protein shake. Until that day, I never thought tequila with a protein shake chaser could taste so good.

My high spirits turned dark along four slow miles. I was on the verge of tears when I saw my cousin waving at mile 22. Another friend awaited at mile 25 with rum, but my only desire was to finish the race. I cannot remember what my cousin said to me or what we saw those last miles, but I am grateful she accompanied me to mile 26 for a strong finish.

Mile 25 with Rachelle

Post-race, I proudly donned the Jacket and arrived at my good friend's baby shower. I wore the Jacket to work the whole week after the race. A colleague asked, "You're showing off your jacket again?" Damn right.

2012 Carlsbad Marathon Finisher

The Beginning of the End

I met a boy, got married, and decided to have children. I translated our decision to reproduce as the demise of my future hopes and dreams and compiled a Bucket List, which included "Finish a marathon". I registered for the Rock 'n Roll San Diego Marathon training program with the San Diego Track Club at the suggestion of a fellow gym-goer and experienced marathoner, Amy.

Training for that race was a life-changing experience. I completed distances I never thought I could run and I met inspiring people who continue to be my cheerleaders. Training and racing became an emotional experience. I cried when I saw my husband along the course. Then, while suffering unexpected abdominal cramps at mile 16, I remembered Amy's advice after a difficult training run, "Just listen to your body". I angrily walked the last ten wretched miles. I finally finished at just under six and a half hours and became a "marathoner".

2007 Rock n' Roll San Diego Marathon Finisher

It turns out, I was two weeks pregnant. I discovered this a month later before a 10 K on the Fourth of July. I remember whispering my discovery to my sleeping husband before dawn, but I cannot remember a single detail of that race.

Five years later, I donned my Wonder Woman garb and finished the same marathon over an hour faster. This year, I completed my third marathon and will be completing my sixteenth half marathon this Sunday. Every race I train for and finish changes me physically and mentally. My personal journey is different each time, but I still get teary-eyed at the start and finish lines of every race.

2012 Rock 'n Roll San Diego Marathon - Mile 18