Even over a week later, I remain at a loss for words about the amazing experience that I had at the New York City Marathon. The race began with the excitement of my 15 minutes of fame with the Maasai team at our VIP treatment at the start of the race to the sheer awe and emotion of stepping across the start line with Frank Sinatra blaring New York, New York in the background running alongside Greg as he began the journey of his first marathon. I enjoyed the first 8 miles running with Phil, Claire, Edward, and Alexandra until we were separated by the mass of runners. I failed to follow my own pre-race advice and raced out ahead of pace with the pure adrenaline generated by the sea of humanity that surrounded the entire 26.2 miles of the course. I caught up with Sunte and ran with him at one point and was overwhelmed again by the support of the crowd as he passed them. Seeing my family at mile 17 was one of the highlights as was the roar of the crowd as we turned the corner coming off of the Queensboro Bridge.

The challenge of my journey that day hit me about mile 23 where my legs felt like they weighed 500 lbs each, but the constant cheering from the crowd was enough to keep me pushing towards the finish line which was a welcome sight. Among the thousands of people, I happened to run into Parashi and Brian at the finish line as we all basked in the glow of the finish. I crossed the line in 3:46:53 which was a couple minutes shy of my goal but 12 minutes faster than my first marathon back in May. My 15 minutes of fame at the start was bookended by another brief stint in the spotlight when some ladies from France asked for my autograph and took photos while I walked to our bags that were stored in the VIP area even as I insisted that I was not anyone famous. But in reality, we were all famous that day, each with our own story, but all as finishers of the marathon.

I want to thank the Maasai team for their commitment and all of the friends, coworkers, and family that supported me personally and financially to help raise awareness and funds for the MWCT. As this journey will remain at the top of the things I have experienced in my life, I now look ahead to my next journey which is most likely marathons in Vancouver in May and Chicago in October 2010. Somehow I either need to get faster or most likely older as I continue my personal goal of qualifying for Boston one of these days. Regardless of when that day comes, the City of New York and my fellow Maasai runners will forever hold a special place in my heart for the bond that was formed on the first day of November 2009.

Thanks again for all of the support,
R.A.