Not everyone can run a marathon.

So says Dr. Cogen at every visit.

 The Eye journey is most often compared to a marathon (You don't get partial credit for a marathon, nobody gets a medal for running 4 miles, you're still in the hard part of the marathon AND not everyone can run a marathon.)

Well, some people can.

For some reason about 7 years ago I decided to run  the St. Jude Marathon. I really don't remember a specific reason except that I thought it would be really cool to say I did when I am 90 & can't walk too well. You know, no regrets, prove to myself that I can, get a tshirt, that kind of thing.

I have always been pretty proud of this feat. 26.2 miles is a bit of a distance to run & I ran the entire way. Contrary to what it seems like, this is not a self promoting post, instead, it is a reminder to myself that running the marathon was actually the easy part. The hard part was the year leading up to it when I was running all of the time. I had to schedule everything around the running, my feet got disgusting blisters & these weird growths, my body hurt all of the time, I was starving, I always wondered if I was really going to be able to complete the entire race....

But, I stuck it out. (It was pre Anderson-I was actually in a tiny bit of shape & had extra time, so it wasn't really as hard as it sounds)

Flash forward 7 years later and I am in a similar situation. Everything revolves around patching time, Anderson's face is red & irritated, my heart hurts a bit every now & then when I have to force it on him despite his pleas of protest, I am usually still hungry quite a bit (I think I just like to eat) & I ALWAYS wonder if we are going to win this EYE thing.

 I am sticking it out...

And, here is why.

Coincidentally, it is the same reasons I stuck out the marathon.

My parents with homemade signs at 5am cheering me on during the race. They plotted the course so that they could drive around & be somewhere every 5 miles or so to cheer me on & support me.

Sort of like now, only is is way more than every 5 miles.

How do all of you non twins survive? She is way more stressed out than I am . And, is she actually running with me? Yes, I think so. That is definitely another connection with this Eye marathon, too. Always right next to me.

I remember Brandon couldn't go to Memphis for the run, so he bought me new running clothes. Toni & Jack bought me new shoes. Clare bought me a medal for the Patron Saint of running (love a Catholic friend!), Zack, Amanda & the boys were at mile 20 with a "Go Aunt Sissa" sign (They probably don't remember this, but I will never forget when I first saw them right when I was about to cross into the hardest part. What a boost that was)

Now, instead of posters, my family & friends are supportive with helping to keep the patch on, never complaining, letting me complain, offering support, encouragement and a "Patch Marathon" t shirt (thanks Shannon & Nicole!)

I also remember meeting people along the way and sort of running with them, encouraging them when they needed it, taking their support when I needed it. Some guy gave me his water when the station was out, I helped a girl behind me find some of the energy gel stuff. We were all in it together and knew a marathon is a pretty hard thing to do alone. Cue imom music here...

I really, really believe in a way out. I have to based on what I've seen over the past year or so. And, now I realize why I randomly decided to train for and run a marathon. It was so I could know that I can do this. I can literally and figuratively hang in there until the end. 

I bet the reward at the end of this race will be way cooler than a granola bar, too.

We've been patching a year & a half today. I would say that's about mile 9, maybe?