The marathon is such a life changing beast. Incredibly difficult but incredibly rewarding. So much can go right but yet so much can go wrong. It’s months of training all for one single day. It’s a change in lifestyle knowing that your body needs to be properly prepared. It’s thousands of strangers stepping up to the start line looking for the same magic that you are. It’s an emotional roller coaster. It’s painful. First, you welcome the pain. Then you push through it and conquer it. It’s thinking you don’t have anything left in your tank but then realizing the stranger next to you is still putting one foot in front of the other just like you are. It’s giving that same stranger a fist bump and encouraging them to keep going because their presence alone is propelling you forward. It’s knowing that your journey looks nothing like the person’s next to you but you’re both signed up to tackle something most people wouldn’t even attempt. It’s knowing that with so much struggle comes so much love. Kansas City had 20+ runners sign up to not only do something hard, but to do something hard TOGETHER. The look of shock and amazement on people’s faces when they saw the size of our crew that came all the way to Oregon speaks to the running community that we are so so thankful for at home. This is what we continue to build. I’ve had the privilege of running next to everyone in this crew. We get to see each other elevate, struggle, push through injuries, overcome life obstacles, and reach new peaks week after week. There is no losing in this sport. You either win or you learn. And I’m so unbelievably thankful to be surrounded by strangers - who became friends - who became family all because we find the same common joy in lacing up our running shoes. @eugenemarathon 2025, thanks for bringing this crew half way across the country together. We love you.💚 Marathon #2 - 3:36:02🏃🏼‍♀️ - a 10 min PR & got to see our girl @achewlett BQ!!!🥳 @816runclub @kansasrunclub @coachrandy816