Mile 11

Matt had stopped to pick up some salt packets from a medical-aid station and his running group was now out of sight.

Savannah liked to run on her own. A few days before the marathon, she spoke to Matt about running together.

Savannah said, “I love running with you, but I love running with other people too. I love running alone too. I think for you to really love running, you have to learn to love running for yourself and with yourself.  I do hope you will eventually learn to have a balance of running with others and running on your own. I know TNT is all about group runs, but running should be a healthy balance of both”.

Savannah added, “I really hope you're not just running to run with me”.

A Dire Straits classic came up on Matt’s play list around the 11 mile marker:
“Somewhere your fingerprints remain concrete
And it's your face I'm looking for on every street”.

Matt felt a bit lost running alone and missed Savannah’s shadow.

Excerpt from work in progress fiction "Agony in Ecstasy: A First Time Marathoner's Story, Mile 11, i.e. Chapter 11

Mile 10

Savannah and Matt were running in silence. This is what they would have said:

Savannah – I'm so excited to see you again! I was jumping out of my seat. It’s good they have seat belts on the aircraft!
Matt – Do we have to wait for a race to meet? Now, I’ve got to run a marathon each time to see you? There’s got to be an easier way!
“So ...what’s your next race event?” They asked each other almost in unison.

 

Excerpt from work in progress fiction "Agony in Ecstasy: A First Time Marathoner's Story, Mile 10, i.e. Chapter 10.

Mile 9

The first time marathoners were nearing the 9 mile marker.

Coaches Don and Sue Romano were standing near the Tulane cheering squad.

From their direction, a blow horn screamed, “Go Team!”

Matt remembered Coach Don's send-off party speech:

"A marathon is run in 3 parts:

Run with your head for the first,

Run with your body for the second,

Run with your heart for the last!”

It was time to change gear for the next eight miles.

Excerpt from work in progress fiction "Agony in Ecstasy: A First Time Marathoner's Story, Mile 9, i.e. Chapter 9.

Mile 8

Savannah's Garmin 405 watch beeped as the runners crossed the 8 mile marker.
Matt began humming to himself as his favorite song started on his iPod Touch:
"And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
'Cause girl you're amazing
...Just the way you are"
Savannah caught Matt looking at her.

"Do I look okay?” Savannah enquired.
"There's not a thing that I would change", Matt replied.

Excerpt from work in progress fiction "Agony in Ecstasy: A First Time Marathoner's Story, Mile 8, i.e. Chapter 8.

Mile 7

Close to the 7 mile marker, yellow cups were waiting patiently as the runners approached the aid station.
"This is a good time for our walk break", announced Rome.
Savannah and Matt transitioned to a brisk walk.
They were following the Galloway Technique:
"Run a mile, Walk a minute".
Savannah took out a GU packet. She lingered for a moment, sucked in the nutrition and then washed it down with a quick gulp of water.

Excerpt from work in progress fiction "Agony in Ecstasy: A First Time Marathoner's Story, Mile 7, i.e. Chapter 7

Mile 6

The neighborhood was out on the streets with hand-written posters and cheering the runners.
"Looking good!"

"Nice legs!"

"You're almost there!"

"I have practiced holding this for 6 months!"
Matt almost stopped as he read, "Run if you are horny!"
A Vegas showgirl held a poster saying: "I like fast men in tight shorts!"
Savannah ran past Matt and blew a kiss.

Matt nearly blushed as he crossed the six mile marker.

Excerpt from work in progress fiction "Agony in Ecstasy: A First Time Marathoner's Story, Mile 6, i.e. Chapter 6

Mile 5

The first time marathoners did not have to look far for inspiration. Running ahead of them were distinguished Team in Training (TNT) honorees Sheryl Wendell and Eric Crow who celebrated five years in remission with the help of Gleevec. The wonder drug was developed by Leukemia and Lymphoma Society funded research.
Sheryl and Eric shouted "Go Team!" in unison as they crossed the five mile marker. Matt felt proud to be part TNT. For once he belonged somewhere.

Excerpt from work in progress fiction "Agony in Ecstasy: A First Time Marathoner's Story, Mile 5, i.e. Chapter 5 

Mile 4

The early morning rays of the sun bathed the runners in a soft golden glow. Savannah looked at her silver bracelet that glinted in the sunlight. She smiled as she read the words inscribed on it:
" A True Friend Reaches For Your Hand But Touches Your Heart".
It was a Christmas gift from a friend who was running the same race. The words meant so much to her. It was more than running now. This was part of her life.

Excerpt from work in progress fiction "Agony in Ecstasy: A First Time Marathoner's Story, Mile 4, i.e. Chapter 4

Mile 3

The 5K marker was visible at a distance. Matt increased his pace subconsciously.
"Did you sign up your friends to get wireless updates of your split time?" Paris asked knowingly.
"Yes I did! My cousin in New York will double his LLS donation if I cross the finish line".
"It's a long way to go. Slow down, Speedy", Marriane piped up.
Matt loved his running group. Some were marathon virgins like him.

Excerpt from work in progress fiction "Agony in Ecstasy: A First Time Marathoner's Story, Mile 3, i.e. Chapter 3

Mile 2

Running a few feet ahead of Matt was Savannah Greene, a southern stunner and also a first time marathoner. They had run a half-marathon together where they paced each other from start to finish. Ever since that race, Matt wanted to speak to her again but hesitated to call without any specific reason.
Matt had saved one of her voicemails and listened to it every day. Matt was late for a lunch date and Savannah was trying to reach him.
"Hope you can make it. I'm waiting for you"

Excerpt from work in progress fiction "Agony in Ecstasy: A First Time Marathoner's Story, Mile 2, i.e. Chapter 2

Mile 1

Matt: Hey Doc, I've found a great weight loss diet!
Doctor: Tell me about it
Matt: Plan to starve my way to the goal you set for me
Doctor: Not a stable diet that you can stick with forever. You need to exercise

That's how Matt started running for the first time.

Excerpt from work in progress fiction "Agony in Ecstasy: A First Time Marathoner's Story, Mile 1, i.e. Chapter 1