In the darkness of the early morning on October 14th, I jittered, ready to face my opponent that I trained so long to finally pursue. The slicing cold air awakened the inner core of my being so that every part of me was ready to take action. It was too late to back out now, though excuses flowed in and out of my brain attempting to find some way out of this. And though there I stood at the starting point, and though there
I stood physically present, my mind was slow to comprehend what was about to take place.

As they announce that there were going to count down, and as the numbers lowered from three minutes to one minute, I realized it was now or never. And as the continuously decreasing timer went from five, four, three, two, to one, my jittery legs set a pace and I moved with the flow.

Two thousand nervous, relaxed, trained, untrained, athletes, and non-athletes had gathered to attempt and accomplish half a marathon or full marathon. From ages ranging from fifteen to seventy plus, we all had one goal set in mind, to cross the line that certified that we survived this horrific event. And for an hour and fifty nine minutes my legs wandered the wine county of Headsburg, and traveled a total distance of thirteen point one miles. And with that pace I conquered the finish line along with a reward of third place within my age group.

The experience overall awoke within me a needy monster with a hunger that only running can satisfy. Obsessed, I now plan to pursue this once foreign and hated hobby of running. I came to take note that it not only keeps me physically fit however mentally fit as well due to the fact that it lowers stress level. Though not originally on my bucket list, I can now add and check off running half a marathon. Next challenge: a full marathon.