Smile With Your Eyes

As I sat on the 7:30 am ferry to Staton Island last Sunday morning it crossed my mind that, up until four-years ago, I had never left the west coast, much less run a mile. Never in a million years would I have guessed that I could be on a ferry, by myself in New York, mentally preparing to run the New York City Marathon. Unfortunately for my legs, it was not a dream.

I crossed the starting line in the last corral of runners, mostly other slowly folks and charity fundraisers toting various slogans and philanthropy on their shirts. I ran next to a 75-year-old man who said he’d been running since birth, a gentleman with no legs, a blind woman and countless other people who just wanted to run, not necessarily because they were fast, but because they could.

I reached the half way point at 2 hours and 35 minutes. I had never in my life run so fast, but I felt like I could run forever. I few miles down the road I met up with Danny and my friends, I gave them hugs and high fives, and was on my way again. Soon thereafter my feet really started throbbing. I’m not sure what New York puts in their concrete, but I do know it’s harder than what I’ve been running on in California. I would like to give a big thanks to my guardian angel, the girl yelling “Advil! Tylenol!” on the street corner around mile 17. I’ve been taught in my training not to take pain killers (and in life, not to take anything from strangers), but I really needed something to help my feet, so I took the chance, and it worked!

I said lots of prayers that Sunday. About every mile after 19 I prayed for the mojo to keep going. The sun broke through the clouds around mile 23, right after I entered the green haven of Central Park. At that moment I knew my mom was with me, I ran like it was the last time I was ever going to run and 3.2 miles later I finished the marathon. It took me 5 hours and 39 minutes. To put the time in perspective, during my training I was finishing 20-mile runs in that time frame, so I’m really proud of this hussle I didn’t know existed in me!

The thing I like most about participating in marathons is it’s really not just about your pace. There is a place in every race for the fast, the faster than fast, the slow, and the, “I just want to finish” runner. There is a place for walkers, the disabled, jugglers, and even men wearing women’s bathing suits (I ran behind this guy for six miles!). I like the marathon, because it really is just about you versus you. It is a giant mountain that can be conquered with the right amount of work, dedication and just a little bit of belief in ones ability to do whatever it is you set your mind to.

As of today, I’ve raised $7,921.20 for the Anxiety Disorders Association of America in memory of my mom Robin Hunt. While it’s not $10,000, that’s okay. When I started this journey in June, I really wasn’t excepting it to take on the life it did. I admit, I was feeling lost in my grief and needed a focus to bring my spirit back together again. This worked and I’m so happy that together we were able to make a difference in the lives of people who suffer as my mother did. I may have physically run alone, but all your donations, love and support carried me over that finish line and for that I will be forever grateful.

Thank you again and again.

Love,

Sarah Hunt

Retired Marathon Runner

Goodbye New York

I finished the marathon yesterday in record time, 5 hours 40 minutes. One hour faster than I ran the Los Angeles Marathon last year.

It was truly one of the best experiences of my life and I would recommend it to anyone.

I have lots of thoughts running through my head right now that I will right down eventually, but the iPhone isn’t the easiest place to form those thoughts into anything coherent.

I basiclly just wanted to post that I am alive and well and currently sitting at the jet blue terminal awaiting my flight west!

Done and done!! Sarah absolutely dominated and beat her goal time. She is feeling great and I couldn’t be prouder. I had a great day and saw tons of friends who joined me to cheer Sarah on. Sarah is tired but happy to be done and ready to celebrate. Off we go to dinner and then to watch the Yankees in NYC.

Staton island

I’m here! It’s about 8:50am and I just took a seat upon my black garbage bag on the wet concrete in the green corral.

This has so far been the most organized cattle hearding I’ve ever experienced. I’ve only been slightly clasterphobic, oh like 100 times this morning.

My start time isn’t until 10:20 so I have some time to relax and take it all in.

If you havnt figured it out, Danny is mobile picture blogging on here today as well. For some reason my tumblr picture function won’t work, so I’ll have to upload pictures later.

So far so good! Wish me luck!