http://imgur.com/srL4gQb http://imgur.com/WG3OzyA This was on 3 November 2013. It was my first marathon. I had only decided to do it a week before, when I heard my former teammate was running the half, and that was all he was talking about as XC season finished. We both barely missed qualifying for state championships (which were the same weekend of the marathon) so our coach gave us free reign to do what we want. Anyway, I wasn't happy about him running a half marathon to get bragging rights and to try and impress the team. I couldn't stand knowing that he would get all the attention and respect for signing up for something that is easier than it looks, especially for a top-caliber XC runner, so I signed up for the full. The morning of the race was cold http://imgur.com/SPAuaoe so I changed out from my singlet into a shirt and some tights. I started out pretty fast, on pace to break 3 hours but I hit the wall around mile 18 and I was barely moving until the last mile, where I saw the straightaway and I started picking up speed, getting this weird mental feeling of invincibility, and then I just started flying, picking off people left and right. I felt like Jesus. I could here the announcer calling my name and describing me and I for a moment I thought I was Kenyan. I was just doing my signature kick at the end. I swear I don't even remember passing that guy in the picture. I was so high and out of it, it was only until I looked at the photo my mom took when I noticed it. (I also later found out I ran the last mile in about 5 minutes after checking my gps watch) My mom was using my Nikon D3100 with an AFS-DX Nikkor 18-55 lens. Here are the photos of me getting my medal and realising post marathon soreness for the first time. http://imgur.com/G9oV9TT
http://imgur.com/Z0MudoY

The Monday after I showed up to practice with the marathon shirt and the look on my teammate's face was priceless. Totally stole the show.

A week later my coach gave me an award for being the most improved runner that year.