Five years ago today

Five years ago today, my legs cramped on a Potomac River bridge. Little did I know that that pain would be the most valuable teaching moment of my life.

At the time, it completely sucked. Hard.

I thought about quitting. It would have been so easy. I looked at the Pentagon in the distance. I had 6.2 miles left of my first marathon. People would understand. I had leg cramps, right? I was making my excuse up in my head as I tried to run.

Limping through Crystal City, I turned back toward the Pentagon and then past Arlington Cemetery. The plain white tombstones stood guard over the runners as they passed. I got to mile 26 and had .2 miles left. Maybe I should walk? No. I turned left and started sprinting up the last hill. It was so steep — especially when you are suffering leg cramps. Both sides of the road were lined with cowbell-clanking fans, cheering the marathoners to the finish — I felt a rush of adrenaline. I caught sight of my wife and my two oldest sons. Pain melted as I turned the last corner and saw the finish line. My journey was nearly over.

I looked back at the tombstones. The men and women in Arlington didn’t quit. To hell if I would.

I crossed the finish line and a Marine put a medal around my neck. “Congratulations,” he said. I thanked him for his service and then fell to my knees. Tears ran down my face — partly from joy. Partly from pain. But mainly from pride. Pride that I had conquered such monumental goal. Pride that I raised $13,000 for melanoma research. And pride that I didn’t quit.

Two days later, my career changed. I felt pain then, too. But as I sat in the office receiving the bad news, I knew I could take anything life threw at me. Because I had not only just run 26.2 miles , I had done the final 6.2 miles with leg cramps. I learned the value of keeping your eye on the finish line.

Five years later, I’m sitting here looking at that marathon medal on my wall. I don’t frame much of my stuff but that one I did. It was the day I proved something to myself. It was the day I learned the value of not quitting even in the face of pain.

Five years today.