6 Key Takeaways from my first Half Marathon

“The real purpose of running isn’t to win a race, it’s to test the limits of the human heart.” – Bill Bowerman

This past Sunday, my wife, Anna, and I participated in our first half marathon. Not only was it an incredible experience for each of us individually, but it brought us together more as a couple. After all, we had over 3 hours to talk and push each other to the finish line. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for EVERY married couple out there!

With that said, I would like to share with you a few of the things I have learned. So, here are six things I took away from the experience:

13.1 miles is long. Very long. Even if you’re walking.

A half marathon is not for the faint of heart. It’s tough on your body and the hills on this particular course were a killer. Over the July 4th weekend, I committed myself to get back into running. I was a cross-country runner in high school, but got away from the activity in college. You could say I was preoccupied with other things.

However, it was always something I wanted to do. So, Anna suggested that I commit to doing something and we agreed on a half marathon. Part of her reasoning involved allowing me to feel that I truly accomplished something on my own.

Even the biggest hills have a downhill shortly after. The hills will come. And come. But, while hills go up at first, there is always the downhill afterward.

Everything ends eventually. The same goes for hills that look insurmountable at first. When we push through, things do get easier for a time, but you always need to be ready for the next climb. Such is life, is it not?

Take it all in. Enjoy your surroundings.

Stop. Just stop. You need to look around now and then.

Be present. Be engaged. Stop worrying.

Give thanks to God for something good in your life.

Just allow yourself to see what’s around you and not look down at a piece of technology.

The picture of Anna below was around mile 9 or 10 I believe. I had to stop and take a picture because the course’s landscape was so beautiful. We also had some fans very interested in our being there.

There is always somebody to find the negative.

Not surprisingly, we had haters who told us we were wasting our time with the half marathon. Others thought we would hurt ourselves beyond repair. I just tune these types of people these days. While they may think they are helping or coming from a good place, I don’t want their negative energy to spoil my mindset.

Do you have this issue with well-meaning people in your life?

Money truly never sleeps.

This video of Anna crossing the finish line says it all. She is talking to a client about one of her properties. Even 13.1 miles couldn’t stop her from “the art of the deal.”

The feeling of truly accomplishing something is second to none.

I’ve been so pumped up since Sunday – and I think I drive Anna crazy at times. I want to do a half marathon again, then a marathon, then an ultra-marathon! Why not, right? Well, I know I need to take it one run at a time, but the “high” I got from finishing the half marathon was incredible. I just want that feeling again.

Either way, I know I can take this experience and focus my energy on other things. Instead of being afraid, I can remember what happened on August 24, 2014 in Pennsburg, PA.

The sense of accomplishment in completing the half marathon is one of sheer joy and gratitude. We prayed to the Lord before for the opportunity and thanked Him afterward for the success.

It was something that brought us together and something we will have as a bonding moment as a couple forever. Further, we get that sense of pride and accomplishment for ourselves as individuals and get to share the gift with others. Not in a boastful way, but in an encouraging way.

So, I say go “run your own half marathon.” I put it in quotes because what I’m saying is go find something that you do that you can feel proud to do and grateful for. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience and a gift that I believe everyone deserves.

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Follow David Domzalski on Twitter @DavidDomzalski and on his blog.