The idea that I was “not athletic”stuck with me for years. When I started running in my 30s, I realized running was a battle against myself, not about competition or whether or not I was athletic. It was all about the bat-tle against my own body and mind. A test of wills! The night before my marathon, I dreamt that I couldn􀆳t even find the finish line. I woke up sweating and nervous, but ready to prove something to myself. Shortly after crossing the start line, my shoe laces(鞋带) became untied. So I stopped to readjust. Not the start I wanted! At mile 3, I passed a sign:“GO FOR IT, RUNNERS!” By mile 17, I became out of breath and the once injured ankle hurt badly.