Baystate Marathon 2024

 

 

Wholesome, unforgettable, and the most challenging race.

I hesitated to run this race because of the shin splint on my right leg. If it were not my friend Junsu, I wouldn’t have ran the race.

The pain started to kick in at mile 2. Around  mile 5, I started limping as I felt less pain on my hurting right leg. At mile 15, the quad on my left leg felt really heavy and I couldn’t sustain limping. I had to figure out other way. I realized I felt less load on both legs by swinging arms excessively. By doing that for 5-6 miles, I could recover my left leg and I could limp again at mile 22.

Mile 19-25 was especially hard. It was a one straight road with almost no crowd. I saw some runners who already finished the race. It was lonely. I had to fight for every second with the shooting pain whenever the right leg landed on the ground. The weather was gorgeous - the sun was shining and the autumn leaves reflected on the river was stunning, but, I felt like I was stuck in the tunnel by myself.

I met Candace at mile 12. Because of the struggle I was going through, I couldn’t hug or smile. I felt sorry and I decided to hug her next time I met her. At mile 25, I was running looking at the ground and when I heard her voice and raised my head, I started crying. I got emotional sometimes when watching movies or something but never while running. It was weird and a hard to describe mixed feeling.

Even though I might not be able to run and I have to limp for the next couple months, I have no regret. I feel so grateful for my lovely girlfriend and Junsu and his family for all the support and cheers. It was a blessing day.