this year marked my first ever season with UCLA Triathlon.
this last march marked my my first ever marathon: the LA Marathon.
last month marked my three year anniversary of running everyday.
and today i broke the 6 minute mile.
it is day 1,136.
this first year at UCLA has been my favorite life-year, memorializing landmark moments like no other.
it has also documented the deepest, darkest, lows, the moments in the pain cave, moments where i was given an easy out.
i got caught under a wave during my first triathlon; i lost my swim cap and goggles.
i should’ve called for help and not gone any further.
near the end of the bike leg on my first ever olympic distance triathlon my back began to buckle.
i could’ve gotten off then.
my stomach began to cave in on itself as i began to experience the worst pain of my life not even half way into my first marathon.
i had every reason to stop right then and there.
so i did.
exactly the opposite of that
i found my gear and kept swimming.
i found my rhythm and peddled on.
i battled my belly and didn’t stop running.
the option to stop was always present.
i just never considered it an option.
movement made me mighty
it has made me believe i can do anything.
and as little or as large as that anything may be,
it has reminded me yet again, that it is enough to just be me.
after all, what else do we need?
ourselves, some shorts, shoes if we’re feeling fancy
and a hunger to explore, to dive into the endless sea,
because we’ve made it, we’re here, right now, don’t you see?
life is but a run to the finish, but little do you know, you’re already free
from the frenetic gallop towards a medal or promise of eternal glee,
you have already made it, you’re not just somebody,
you’re you, you’re real, you’re the capital M me,
what more is there to ask, it’s already yours,
the warm embrace of reality
thank you to my uncle for pushing me to run everyday
thank you to my family for supporting me.
thank you to my ucla triathlon team for motivatingmy foray into the world of endurance.
thank you to manik sethi for running a marathon with me.
and thank you to the mind, body, and spirit,
i will never give up on you.