Taking Time To Say Thanks

Nearly four weeks ago, I completed my first marathon. Running is an individual sport, but there is no way I made across the finish line without the help, support and encouragement of others.

It was an amazing journey. Of course, the race is still fresh in my memory, but I believe the 2012 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon will go down as one of my all-time favorite races. And why wouldn't it be? It was my first marathon! I had a truly amazing experience, and I'm ready for more.

But before I get too far away from completing my first and before I begin focusing on my next race adventure, I want to take a moment to take those who helped me get across the finish line. I realize it's impossible for me to name each and every one of you all, and I don't even want to try to list all who were there for me during the journey. There are so many of you I know I would leave someone out. It's inevitable.

No Foolin'! I Am A Marathoner!

I. Am. A. Marathoner!

I've been thinking about this all week, and I could not think of any better way than with that statement. 

This past Sunday (April Fool's Day), I ran the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon.

Allow me to let that last statement sink in.

I, Jay Stancil, ran a marathon. 

That is a sentence I never ever thought I'd pen. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would run 26.2 miles. At one time. Twas a mere two years ago I had taken up running. My goal then was to run a half marathon. After my first half and then my second one, I still couldn't see myself running a full. Yet, as I headed into the fall racing season with three half marathons lined up, I felt the itch to run a full. So, I signed up for the Knoxville Marathon.

I Know I'm Preaching To The Choir, But ...

A fellow runner tweeted yesterday an acquaintance of hers said "people need to realize training for a marathon has no real world function." Obviously, as a runner, I took offense to this, but it got me to thinking: "Does marathon training have real-life applications?"

I realize I am preaching to the choir with this post, but after some in-depth thinking - most of it during my 5-mile run this morning, I came up with some good real-life applications for marathon training. Granted, I wouldn't call myself an expert on this subject since I'm in the tapering stage of my first full marathon (T-minus 3 days!!!). However, I've learned a great deal about myself during the past 16 weeks in training for my 26.2 jaunt.

Running Gives Me ...

Like a lot of runners around the world, I use DailyMile. It's a wonderful website to help you connect with runners/athletes/triathletes nearby as well as abroad. Of course, you log your mileage and various other exercises there, but DailyMile is a great place for support and encouragement.

This description didn't originate with me, but it is the best way to describe DailyMile: It's Facebook for runners.

(If you're not already on DailyMile, I highly recommend you checking it out.)


Anywho, every day DailyMile asks a new #dailymission. What it is is a question or comment regarding running. One day they will ask, "what's the one piece of running gear you can't live the house without?" Another day they'll ask, "morning, noon or night? When do you like to run?" For the most part, I don't respond or comment on them. But every once in a while, they have one that peaks my interest. Today's #dailymission struck a nerve with me. So much so, I felt a blog post was in order to fully share my response.