In El Salvador we measure distances in meters and kilometers. This makes a marathon a 42 kilometer race. Not a very appealing sum. I decided I would measure the marathon in miles because I am hoping it will mentally help me to know that I will run 26 instead of 42.
I am a huge follower of this blog. In Gia’s blog I always find great running motivation plus cute baby pics! Double the fun! Literally because she is a twin mamma! When she ran the New York marathon last year she posted an amazing idea of running each mile for one thing she was thankful for. The moment I saw it I knew I wanted to do the same whenever I decided to run my first marathon.
Well my first marathon is here and I will be doing exactly the same thing Gia did. I will run 26 miles of gratitude. Here is my list.
1.Looking at the big picture.
I am thankful I can acknowledge there is a master plan for my life. Every step, decision, action I make is a step closer to achieving the life goals I was born to achieve. Mile one is the first step.
2.My blog
This was a goal I had been postponing due to fear, insecurities and a fundamental point: I thought people wouldn’t care what I had to say! I overcame the fear of sharing my life, goals and emotions and instead of becoming more vulnerable I became the opposite! Now I have more courage and I am less afraid of being scrutinized and criticized.
3.Bloggers that have been my motivation
This one is for Amanda, Gia and Julie. A simple thank you wouldn’t be enough. You don’t know me but be sure that you have been a support system for me. You are an inspiration in more ways than just running. Thank you from the bottom of my heart
4.Beer and Ice cream
I stopped drinking beer and eating ice cream after I got injured in my training. It wasn’t a doctor’s advice or anything like that it was simply a personal decision. I chose to withdraw from these two things because I wanted to fully commit to my training and I felt that by indulging in beer or ice cream even if it wasn’t in an obscene manner it was still indulging so I decided to sacrifice them so I could be sure I was 100% willing to prepare my body for this marathon. This one is for all the beers I didn’t drink and all the ice cream I didn’t eat and yeih for me!
5.Training plan
Schedules, charts, Garmin, speed work and hills!
6.Commitment
Three months of running non-stop, trying to be careful with the food I ate, going to bed early, being sore, foam rolling...Yes, this one is for the sacrifices and commitment I put into marathon training.
7.Therapist
The girls at the therapist who took care of me for the last month. They helped me heal and made me laugh with all their funny stories.
8.Britney Spears
I know it may sound silly but I am a huge Britney fan! -I love you Britney!- I think her come back is reaaaaally amazing! so this mile is not only for her but for comebacks in general! I hope she finds out I ran 1 mile for her I can get her to follow me on twitter! That would be out of this world!
9.The girls
All the fun, laughter and love have been a fuel in my life.
10.El Salvador
I was born and raised here. It shaped me into who I am. My country, the good and the bad and of course our runners.
11.Healing through yoga
My yoga practice helped me heal physically and emotionally.
12.Vale & Ele.
You got me into running. This is my way to repay you. You may not be physically running with me but you are running a much more difficult race and even though this comes from a non-mom: My friend, you are doing the most amazing job raising the cutest girl in the world.
13.Tio Eli
My uncle passed away this past December, shortly before the holidays. It was a hard moment for the family. It still is. He was my mom’s oldest brother and he died of a heart condition. He was just a remarkable man. I am running this mile for him.
14.Naho y Gaby
These two girls are pure happiness. My aunt and uncle have adopted two sisters Gaby (11) and Naho (4). Their story –at such short age- is of struggle and hope. They are always smiling and have brought joy not only to my aunt and uncle but also to all the family! I love these two girls they simply melt my heart.
15.Recovering from my injury
An entire month in therapy but...I did it.
16.Linda
Need I say anything? We are running the next one together!
17.Running buddies
Mema and Capi. For always being ahead and puling me forward.
18.Madrid Years
This is a hard one. I don’t know how I’ll handle this one but this mile is for not being able to run more than 5k, for all the sad moments left behind, for the two gifts God sent me to get me through -Patty & Ale-, for coming back, for moving forward.
19.Fifteen year old me
This one is for never believing the ones that said you couldn’t. This one is for making your dreams come true little me!
20.Grandpa
My grandpa and I were really close. He taught me the amazing gift of enjoying a good book. By the age of 7 I was reading Jules Vernes, by the age of 12 I was reading Mario Vargas Llosa and Shakespeare. We used to sit together to read and talk for hours. Now he is 103 years old and I can’t hold a conversation with him. I am running this mile for him and for all his accomplishments.
21.Dad
I used to call him chicken soup when I was little, now is plain old Dad but the concept is still there.
22.Sara
There is nothing little about my little sister. She is a talented, creative, out of this world girl. She can make your life anything but boring! This is for making the twenty-something years we lived together a blast!
23.Heinz
I am thankful we found each other, chose each other and that we are still with each other. I would marry you in this lifetime and the next one.
24.Mom
No words can describe how thankful I am for my mom. Even writing these lines make me tear up. My mom has been the one pulling, pushing, shaping, mentoring, comforting, and supporting me –ALWAYS-. I could run this marathon –no- a hundred marathons just to thank her.
25.Making it happen
I can achieve each every single goal I set my mind to. This marathon is a living proof. I am making it happen.
26.Turning 30
Never EVER forget you got yourself passed the finish line. Never forget how you felt crossing the finish line.
Now, if you’ll excuse me I have a marathon to run.
