Feeling Restored

Some people celebrate their birthday going out on the town or throwing a party. Some take a vacation. Others might pamper themselves. Me? I'm running a marathon.

If this isn't your first time here, then you know I'm running the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday to celebrate turning 27. While it's not a milestone year, I want to honor it by doing something memorable. For me, the marathon is about as memorable as it gets.

Since running the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 10, my interest in running Philly has waned. I've had some serious mixed feelings about running this marathon. I felt emotionally spent after Chicago. I gave myself over to training and fund-raising for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. I found myself making deals with God over my once-fractured foot prior to the Chicago Marathon. Understandably I became more concerned about my body post marathon. I also questioned the point of running a second marathon this fall. While I'd like to snatch a PR (personal best) in Philly, I wondered if it was even possible.

Saturday brunch at Perennial with major runnerds.

All of my worries and self-doubt disappeared Saturday when I ran with friends I've made through Twitter. Kate @krzimmer and Michael @Bama26Point2 organized a run and brunch for about a dozen of us. During our 8-mile run and later over food, we talked about running, goals, life. As I ran with Alek @alekbabel, Sean @princess_sean and John @phampants, I felt restored as a runner. My anxiety over Philly was replaced with enthusiasm.

Because of Twitter, I've found a community of runners who love the sport just as much, if not more so, than I do. They are a driven, smart, entertaining and, most important, very supportive bunch of people. They hold me accountable. They make me want to be a better runner and human being. They motivate me.

Some friends and family have questioned my decision to run two marathons in six weeks. There are times when I, too, question my sanity. Then I think of these guys, whom I've come to know through Twitter:

Sam @operationjack: He is running 61 marathons this year in honor of his son, Jack, who has autism. He doesn't consider himself a hero, but he's one to me. Whenever I question pushing myself, I think of him.

Joe @RgulrJoeRunning: To date, he has run three marathons this year, and he is about to run Philly. He is the runner who convinced me to run this marathon. Had it not been for his incredibly detailed and thoughtful description of the race, I might not have signed up. His love for the sport is contagious, and he's one of the most supportive runners I know. I can't wait to meet him in real life on Saturday. He's also a gifted writer, so please check out his blog.

Dave @dp_turtle: Dave runs on behalf of DetermiNation and has raised thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society over the past several years. If I could raise half as much for the MMRF as he has for ACS, I would be a happy girl. He's also a crazy fast runner who is never short on encouragement for us slower folks.

To my runner friends, thank you. I'm ready for Philly.