May 16, 2015 13:43
Things I experienced:
The policeman scanning me for bombs, on seeing my jersey: "Puerto Rico?" "Captain America!"
The sun coming out just before we started
Seeing the Wave 1 runners circling Grand Army of the Republic at incredible speeds, looking like -- honest to god, looking like wheeling creatures not entirely of this earth, just a stunning effect somehow
The amazing downpour as I ran toward Prospect Park
Runner's high getting me through that hill (and the woman with the sign reading "This Hill Is Your Bitch!")
The people holding great signs and high-fiving runners
The realization that energy gel stuff is amazing and about all that got me through the last five miles
Only pausing to walk after eight miles; walking some but really running most of the way
Learning that you stop for that Gatorade station every damn chance you get
Starting to cry on realizing that a runner ahead of me was wearing a jersey with "Terminate Cancer" across the back
Realizing how close we were, how familiar the route was now
All the runners dressed as Wonder Woman
The one spectator in the American flag Speedo, god bless you, sir.
The man who'd already finished, who was walking home somewhere, who bellowed "Only a mile and a half to go!" and got me speeding toward the end
Seeing Coney Island for the first time, getting hit with stupid Steve Rogers feelings
Suddenly wildly emotional as I realized I could see the finish line
Nearly crying at the finish line
No really, I cried at the finish line.
Serbian folk-punk at MCU Stadium (no really, that's where the Brooklyn Cyclones play, I guess).
The four little kids who stopped me in front of my building to ask all sorts of questions and to hold and study my medal.
My legs are not so much for moving right now, but I have taken the world's greatest shower and once I actually get some real lunch, it's nothing but naps and TV from here until Sunday. Oh my gosh my gosh. ♥
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