The Extra Two Miles
I went into Saturday’s half marathon feeling ready.
The training was done. The miles were in the bank. I felt strong, confident, and excited to see what race day would bring.
Just after the halfway point, I passed an aid station. A volunteer said, “The flag is up ahead!” Three of us kept running.
And running.
And running.
Eventually, we realized something was wrong.
We had missed the turnaround.
What was supposed to be a 13.1-mile race quickly turned into 15.1 miles.
I’ll be honest, I had a moment. Frustration. Disappointment. Maybe even a little anger. I had trained for a half marathon, not an accidental 15-mile race.
But somewhere along those extra miles, my perspective shifted.
How blessed am I that I get to do this?
I get to run.
I get to have a body capable of covering 15.1 miles.
I get to race.
I get to challenge myself.
I get to experience the kind of health and freedom that once felt impossible.
A few years ago, my life looked very different. Today, I get to wake up on a Saturday morning, pin on a race bib, and run farther than I planned.
What a gift.
The race didn’t go according to plan, but life rarely does. Healing has taught me that peace isn’t found when everything goes perfectly. Peace is found when we accept what is and keep moving forward anyway.
So Saturday, I ran 15.1 miles in 2:11:32
So, that means I finished 13.1 in 1:54ish!
Not the race I expected.
But maybe exactly the lesson I needed.
Sometimes the victory isn’t in the finish time.
Sometimes the victory is realizing that even when things don’t go your way, you still have so much to be grateful for.
And Saturday, gratitude carried me the extra two miles.
As for this weekend? I get to do it all again. Redemption race.
I’ll be lining up for the Incredible Bank Hope Starts Here challenge with a little more appreciation, a little more perspective, and a reminder that the real gift isn’t the finish time; it’s having the opportunity to run in the first place.
No matter what happens, I’m already grateful for the miles.
But if we’re being honest…
I’m still chasing that 1:54:00? ish 😜
This past weekend reminded me that gratitude and ambition can coexist. I can appreciate how far I’ve come while still pushing myself to see what’s possible.
So here’s to second chances, fresh starting lines, and hopefully remembering the turnaround this time.
Happy Monday, friends!
melodiealexander 