Mission Complete

DISCLAIMER: If you offended by foul language or you are a minor, please do not read today's blog.  There will be some offensive language.  Sorry. 

I'm not afraid to take a stand
Everybody come take my hand
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just let you know that, you're not alone
Holla if you feel that you've been down the same road
When I started this blog, the main objective was to journal my quest in never allowing myself to become sedentary and lose my athleticism that I have had most of my life.  It is used as a motivator for myself to find new and different athletic events.  My first event chosen was to run a marathon.  I was 16 weeks out from the event when I started training, which usually isn't long enough time but I figured because I am in relatively good shape, I could just jump into training.  If you have read this blog enough, you will know that I have had several setbacks.  Up until today, there was absolutely nothing done in my training to indicate that I was ready for this.  Knee problems, a week long vacation 4 weeks before the race, and generally only being able to train 3 days a week.  My confidence was very small this morning when I hit the finish line.  I simply told myself I would do the best I can and whatever happens will happen.  I said  few prayers to Jesus to help me get through this without the pain in my knee. 

You can try and read my lyrics off of this paper before I lay 'em
But you won't take this thing out these words before I say 'em
Cause ain't no way I'm let you stop me from causing mayhem
When I say 'em or do something I do it, I don't give a damn
What you think, I'm doing this for me, so fuck the world
Feed it beans, it's gassed up, if a thing's stopping me
I'mma be what I set out to be, without a doubt undoubtedly
And all those who look down on me I'm tearing down your balcony
No if ands or buts don't try to ask him why or how can he
From Infinite down to the last Relapse album he's still shit'n
Whether he's on salary, paid hourly
Until he bows out or he shit's his bowels out of him
Whichever comes first, for better or worse
He's married to the game, like a fuck you for christmas
His gift is a curse, forget the earth he's got the urge
To pull his dick from the dirt and fuck the universe

I began the race and the very first song was I'm Not Afraid by Eminem.  The lyrics that are written in italics are from that song.  During my training this was my go-to song whenever I was feeling overwhelmed by the task of 26.2 miles.  But that just happened to be the first song today from my ipod.  I knew right then it was going to be my day.  The first 10 miles of the race were easy.  Nothing monumental, in fact I don't even remember much about them.  Oh, with the exception of running through the infield at Churchill Downs.  AMAZING.  Highlight of the race.  There was a bit of stench coming from the stables though so that was kind of gross but other than that, the sight running through the Downs was awesome.  Things started getting a little hairy when I hit mile 13 in Iroquois Park. 

Ok quit playin' with the scissors and shit, and cut the crap
I shouldn't have to rhyme these words in the rhythm for you to know it's a rap
You said you was king, you lied through your teeth
For that fuck your fillings, instead of getting crowned you're getting capped
And to the fans, I'll never let you down again, I'm back
I promise to never go back on that promise, in fact
Let's be honest, that last Relapse CD was "ehhhh"
Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground
Relax, I ain't going back to that now
All I'm tryna say is get back, click-clack BLAOW
Cause I ain't playin' around
There's a game called circle and I don't know how
I'm way too up to back down
But I think I'm still tryna figure this crap out
Thought I had it mapped out but I guess I didn't
This fucking black cloud still follow's me around
But it's time to exercise these demons
These motherfuckers are doing jumping jacks now!

The knee pain started at that point and I knew this would not be good.  I kept saying prayers to help get me through the pain but it didn't go away.  Finally, at mile 14 I was forced to walk.  I walked for 5 minutes and picked up the running again.  I did this for about the next 2 miles.  At the 15 mile mark, I remembered that I brought some ibuprofen.  You're not really supposed to take this while running because it might upset your stomach and it'll mask the pain while not fixing it.  Well I WANTED to mask the pain so I could complete the race.  The medicine kicked in at about mile 17 and I was able to run pain free for the next 6 miles.  That was great!  I kept waiting for the pain to come back but it held off until 23 miles. 

And I just can't keep living this way
So starting today, I'm breaking out of this cage
I'm standing up, Imma face my demons
I'm manning up, Imma hold my ground
I've had enough, now I'm so fed up
Time to put my life back together right now

Downstait.  Holy cow this couldn't have come at a better time.  I got my pace back up to about a 9 minute mile and maintained that for the rest of the way. 

It was my decision to get clean, I did it for me
Admittedly I probably did it subliminally for you
So I could come back a brand new me, you helped see me through
And don't even realise what you did, believe me you
I been through the ringer, but they can do little to the middle finger
I think I got a tear in my eye, I feel like the king of
My world, haters can make like bees with no stingers, and drop dead
No more beef flingers, no more drama from now on, I promise
To focus soley on handling my responsibility's as a father
So I solemnly swear to always treat this roof like my daughters and raise it
You couldn't lift a single shingle on it
Cause the way I feel, I'm strong enough to go to the club
Or the corner pub and lift the whole liquor counter up
Cause I'm raising the bar, I shoot for the moon
But I'm too busy gazing at stars, I feel amazing and
I finished the race around 4 hours and 10 minutes, I think.  I really have no idea.  It was somewhere around that.  I originally wanted 3:30 and then as of yesterday I slowed it down to 4 hours.  But today wasn't about time for me.  I did something I never thought was possible for me.  I am very much a fast twitch muscle fiber guy that used to think running anything over a mile was pointless.  I went beyond what I thought was possible.  Sure my whole body feels like it's been hit with a hammer right now, but it was worth it.  I did it.  I actually got a little emotional at the end because, again, my body wasn't really bred for this and I never ever thought this was going to happen.  Going back to the beginning of this entry, there was nothing to indicate from my training that I would make me believe I could actually finish.  But I did.  SCREW YOU 26.2!  I BEAT YOU!  YOU DID NOT WIN, I DID! 

I'm not afraid to take a stand
Everybody come take my hand
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just let you know that, you're not alone
Holla if you feel that you've been down the same road

It's funny, at mile 18 I remember thinking to myself, I wonder if I could complete an Ultra Marathon.  Hmmm...