i just ran a freaking MARATHON!!!! 26.2 miles!!!! I ran the marathon because running is special to me. I found endurance running in one of my darkest times. it gave me an escape. it gave me a reason to get up into the morning. I felt safe when I was running. nothing could touch me. I was powerful. one year ago, when I witnessed the confetti covering the ground in Central Park, I knew this was my destiny. little did I know, that fate would be challenged by two stress fractures in my legs during the wintertime. after three months of no running, I was basically starting from ground zero. with the help of @jeslynnyc @lisbethh.jennings @nycustompt and more of my amazing team, for the past eight months, I trained for the unbelievable challenge that was 26.2 miles. I loved going on long run after long run to prepare. I craved getting up every Saturday morning to challenge myself, to do something I once thought was impossible and make myself proud. the @nike saturday long run group made me feel like I was a part of something. the friends I made on those tough days (20 miles in the rain!) will last a lifetime. we’ve only known each other for a few months, but it feels like we’ve been through a lot more (and we have). I knew that completing such a large feat (especially at age 19) would prove how strong I was both mentally and physically. admittedly, my anxiety did creep up on me during the race and I had a panic attack around mile 21. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, and I cried for several miles, but somehow, I found the strength in me to finish. I’m sore, and I’m depleted (the heat yesterday was no joke), but I crossed that finish line. I never thought I’d be here, excited to get out on the road and run for five+ hours. I proved to myself that I can get through hard things. I’m stronger than my anxiety—and I have the gold medal to prove it.