Day Thirty-Five: Part Two

Caitlin H.

May 2, 2010 - 3:00 PM

Mile 7: I remember someone shouting out "HALFWAY" as we crossed mile marker 7. I think I more thoroughly enjoyed the gentleman standing on a corner with a sign "I trained 6 months to hold this sign." There were so many people out there supporting us today. I really felt inspired.

Mile 8: The tearjerker mile. The "Teams in Training", who were raising money for leukemia/lymphoma research, had posted photos of those passed from the very diseases they were running to raise awareness, funds, and ultimately hope for a cure. I was so moved.

I was also distracted. At a water station a volunteer said "Good job, Caitlin" as I grabbed a cup while whizzing past. How did this person know me? Should I know them? By about 8.75 miles I realized my running bib said my name on it. Maybe more oxygen was going to my leg muscles than my brain...

Mile 9: Back on good ole' Agate Street. Actually it was almost torturous running past Hayward Field and seeing people finishing while I still had some mileage to cover. But to make me feel better there were pancakes to eat at the start of mile 9 (yeah right, like I could handle that while running) and bananas to grab as well. While the banana was tempting, I resolved to wait until after the race. I didn't want to get sick now. But all those peels on the ground started to make me feel like this was one giant human-version of Mario Kart.

Mile 10: Now I feel like the end is within sight. I walk along these banks of the river all the time. Although it feels a bit different now. I noticed a blind runner nearby and remained captivated by the interactions between the runner and his running guide most of the rest of the mile. I also can't stop thinking about how hungry I am.

Mile 11: I basically have to just get to Autzen and then I'll be on the home stretch. I walk from Autzen to campus at least once a day. This feels like the last big push now...and yet somehow I'm distracted by all the amazing dogs out watching the race. Folks who had already finished the race, proudly wearing their finisher's medal around their neck, were working back into the course to cheer on loved ones, and others along the way. It was time to start kicking it into a new gear.

Mile 12: This is it! I know I can go the rest of the distance. I probably had a ridiculous smile on my face but hey, that's alright.

Mile 13: People lined Agate Street urging me all the way to the finish line. I actually saw a friend just before I entered Hayward field. As far as I'm concerned there is no better way to finish a race than to take the "Bowerman's Curve" and finish at the heart of "Track Town USA." The announcer even called out my name and I could barely catch a glimpse of myself on the jumbo-tron (aka, really big screen) inside the stadium. What an awesome experience.

A few stretches later, some much needed calorie intake, and a little bit of a nap, and now I'm heading back out towards the river to play some softball with my intramural team. Nothing like a spring day in Eugene. I love this city.

Authors Note: This term I've decided to dissect my day one hour at a time to inform you about my college life. My own life set to the Fox Network's hit show "24." ...If only I were as sensational as Jack Bauer. In this ‘season' you can expect a thrilling and innovative drama complete with a few unforeseen plot twists.