My Victories

In August, 2006 I moved from Atlanta and separated from my husband of eight years. I took up a new job in Atlanta. Moving to Atlanta was such a culture shock for me. I took many issues for granted in the Bay area and realized that the South was very different from what I had known about America. One thing I have to vouch for is the Southern hospitality. It never fails.

Through all this change, the only constant in my life was running. I was following my training schedule for my marathon training. The humidity in Atlanta ( August) suffocated me. I was not used to running on paved roads. I was a trail runner and for some reason Atlantian’s love their roads. That was the biggest challenge for me.

I trained for a year to participate for my first marathon in Sacramento, CA ( CIM), December 3rd, 2006, but five days before the marathon I sprained my ankle playing table-tennis ( ping-pong). I went to Sacramento thinking that my ankle would heal, but the plane journey had only aggravated the ankle and it swelled (a melon size). I could barely walk. I went to the CIM expo to get my T-shirt and number and had to tell them I wasn’t running. I cried for a long time.

The whole year I was preparing myself for this event. And through this journey I had reached my new goal weight, a new respectful relationship with myself, and a new job. I had dreamed of crying with joy after finishing my first marathon, to celebrate my life victories. I did cry..and even today as I write a tear slides down my cheek, reminding me that those were joyous victories, victories that have made me a better person today….

What did I learn from the injury….buy a pair of cross-training shoe if you are doing any other activity that requires side steps (running shoes only support forward motion). When they tell you don’t do anything before your race they mean it!!!. But most of all I learned humility and that I have to continue my mission. I still haven’t recovered from my sprained ankle. After 6 weeks of injury, my ankle still has a swelling. So I am not running ….well kind of…will share in next blog