December 4, 2022: MARATHON RACE DAY!

On race day, I found myself eyeing the clock. 4:30 AM - check! Last banana eaten - double check! Meds downed - you know it! Sub-4 here I come? That part of the equation was still missing. Unlike my first two attempts, this time I had confidence that I could finish the marathon. Sub-4 however — that might be a stretch. Still, I'll give it a try and see what happens.

My dojo mates Josh and Neville were having their first half-marathon and I had the pleasure of accompanying them. Right off the bat, Josh tripped and that jostled us awake for the remainder of the race. With an insane pace, Neville and I kept each other motivated throughout the run, managing to keep in check with morale and hydration all along. We finished 7 miles per hour (roughly at a 8:47 minutes average) and it was one heck of an exhilarating experience!

One of the highlights being Mr. George who showed up at the 18-mile mark with his daughter! Just days before, we were told that he had a terrible accident and might have broken his spine, so it was amazing to see him out there running and showing such strong support for his little girl. Even though I was exhausted with only eight miles left to run, having seen Mr. George pushed me on to make it all the way to the finish line!

When I was finally on the last leg of my 20-mile run, trying to make it under the 4 hour mark, a sight unfolded before me that stopped me in my tracks. I had plenty left in the tank, but the absolute serenity of watching the ocean from above surpassed my need to cross the finish line. The colours and movement of the water below me made me forget all about my time, as who can really worry about reaching a goal with such beauty in front of them? It was the best experience I had running in 2022 - absolute serenity.

After the long and sweaty hours I put in to train for what would be my latest finish line, it was exhilarating to cross it in 3 hours and 51 minutes. I clapped myself on the back each step I took as a job well done and a reminder that all my sacrifices had been worth it. But to me, crossing the finish line isn’t just about reveling in my own physical achievement — it’s about pushing boundaries and understanding the human condition. Through these “crazy experiments” of mine, like taking part in the Cayman Islands Marathon, I learn more about strength, perseverance, and myself

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