"So what say you now?" I did ok. I'm still thinking about the next one. I endured the pace of pain, pleasure, passion, and patience packaged into one goal: Finish fast. I also realized that most sports don't come close to a marathon. You just keep going. I still can't believe I rand a whole marathon a couple of days ago. 

Do I have extraordinary wisdom now that I've stood on the other side of the finish line? Well...I don't know. I have not learned much about the world and it's stuff while I ran. However I learned a lot about myself.

1. I see more clearly that competition and achievement are two strengths of mine.
   
   
2. I expect the worse and aim high. I was one those foolish nerds in school that anticipated bad grades on papers and exams yet was an "A" student.
   
   
3. I now know that I like new journeys. However I still want a measurement or assessment of where I am in the unfolding. (I was bothered that the mile markers were not visible. In the last miles I didn't really know where I was except somewhere lost and found in determination. After all it turned out ok even thought I didn't have the all the info but I had faith in a few facts.) It was similar picture of this life with God. You're in this journey of adventure with Jesus and you don't know everything - what mile 23 is going to present or where the next gatorade stand is - but you know the destination is your prize, your goal.
   
   
4. I typically have reserves. Though I poured out most of me out that day there was still some left. Just like the days of pitching Little League baseball, I didn't always throw my hardest fastball. I was afraid that it be a bit much and hit the batter. Also in my days of drama I rarely gave the unfiltered offering of myself. I rarely go for broke. It's like knowing how many gallons you have left after the gas-meter hits "E." Next time, I'll be running on fumes.
   
   
5. I believe and proved that quitting is not an option. A couple of times in the later miles the thought of quitting arose - though not for relief. Part of me did not want to see the possibility of failing to reach my goal. "If I quit now, no one will ever know I failed and we can try again later." Give in, I did not. I kept going. There was no turning back. Sometimes I think about those words Jesus said, "He who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God."
   
   
6. I could not have finished those 26 miles in that time if I ran by myself. I believe the company of others fueled me (e.g.: the throng of excitement  in the beginning, the cheerful hollering pedestrians, and the the fellow struggling laborers sharing my pain and passion). The short conversations about shoes, cities, and road signs helped us connect with each other. From moment to moment I forgot about me, enjoyed the glorious day, and the persons besides me. When I caught up to people, I would run their pace for a minute and then slowly pull away. When we ran together, there was a peace in our silent conversation of running instep with each other. Enough was said. I knew I was not a lone and was a bit stronger because some with company for the journey.