I took running as a hobby seven years ago as it was a frugal way of exercising, since money was tight in the Sauce household. I would run one mile once a week through my college years after lifting weights to be in shape. I took running seriously about three years ago as it gave me a productive activity after work, and it was a great stress reliever. After running three half-marathons before this race, I decided to take the next step in running a full marathon. It was not going to be easy, as finding the time and motivation to keep going was unlike anything I had faced before.

It was a mid-August morning, and the forecast called for a high of 84 degrees Fahrenheit, with a humidity factor of 80%. This weather condition meant that I would be sweating profusely and losing plenty of water, while having difficulty cooling down. I was roughly halfway through my three-month training for a marathon race that was to take place in Chicago on early October. I planned on running 18 miles that morning, despite feeling tired from a lack of good sleep the night before, and the hot and humid weather. Three hours into my run, and after covering 14 miles, I reached my limit. I had to sit on the pavement three different times, catching my breath because my body could not go any further. I experienced what runners call “hitting the wall”, or bonking. I felt drained. I felt defeated. I questioned why I was putting myself through this form of voluntary torture in order to satisfy my ego.

As I sat on the pavement, I cursed Mother Nature the same way Rick James cursed Charlie Murphy after his legs were beaten for grinding his feet on the couch. In my Dave Chappelle-Rick James voice, I thought to myself, “What am I going do about my legs, Mother Nature?!?!” While it provided a temporary sense of amusement, my pride felt like it was stomped on. It was after that run I decided to make adjustments in my training.

I ensured I had a good night’s rest, and drink a blended smoothie packed with electrolytes and potassium before morning long runs. I indulged in eating at an Indian buffet as a reward for a good work out, and to keep my motivation going. There would be no disappointments, regardless of the outcome, for doing my best on race day. The next six weeks of training went better than that day, and I was ready.

Two days before race day, I went to the race expo at the local convention center to pick up my racing bib and score some free swag. After picking up my bib and getting my fix of taking selfies in amusement, I came across a wall at the middle of the expo hall where people signed their dedications. When family and friends asked why I am running a marathon during my training, I told them that it was a way to satisfy my ego and push myself to do my best. While those were not lies, the underlying reason is that running helps put the problems in my life into perspective, and find healing on the pain I experienced growing up as a teenager without a father. The sounds of my feet striking the pavement bring stillness I can’t find anywhere else, except in prayer. The sweat is the fat from my love handles and negative thoughts being cleansed out of my system. The result is a fitter, and calmer version of me.

I asked a fellow runner to take a picture on what I wrote for my dedication. She and another runner were touched by my dedication that they gave me a hug, as they related to what I went through not having a living parent. As I walked away from that wall, I broke down and cried tears of joy for having my true feelings written down. It was time to move forward and have dinner. I celebrated that evening eating Italian food and chugging on a glass of white wine.

It was race day. I woke up with a nervous excitement despite having four hours of sleep the night before. It was a chilly 40 degrees Fahrenheit that morning as I walked towards the start line in Grant Park. Thoughts of DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win”, and Black Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow” raced through my head in anticipation for what lies ahead. As I crossed the Start Line, it was go time.

The race was far from perfect. Since it was my first marathon race, the excitement got me carried away that I did not pace well enough the first thirteen miles. I zig-zagged through fellow runners in order to get ahead. I might have been distracted the cheerleaders as I went past Boystown. I made goofy faces while giving high-fives to the cheering crowd as Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” blared through the street. I cramped twice for not properly hydrating and for not using the restroom sooner. I stepped on protein goo, which made for an uncomfortable stride for three miles.

By the time I reached mile 20, I started experiencing bonking. My body was telling me to quit in the form of numbness. The booze the people in the crowd were offering seemed enticing. Through all of the discomfort, I decided to keep going as what only mattered at that moment was finishing. I thought of the words Diddy would say, “Can’t stop. Won’t stop. Eh-eh! Eh-eh!” as he danced in his ‘90s shiny jumpsuit with Ma$e to motivate me. I was fortunate to be keeping pace with a couple who shared the same sentiments as we screamed out certain words the same way Kevin Garnett does to keep each other going. “We fucking got this!” “No shit!”

About an hour into experiencing the numbness, I crossed the finish line. I cried tears of joy thinking of my mother and father, and accomplishing this goal. After taking selfies and posting them on facebook, it was time to bask in the high and sleep. At least the Bears beat the Falcons that day to make it even better for Chicagoans.

So why did I write in detail of my first marathon experience? To share my lessons learned with you, of course!

Waiting for ideal conditions to come is foolish: If you wait for the “right time” to do something, it may never happen. In the words of the Nike slogan, “Just Do It.” There were many days where the forecast was not ideal for training, but the added discomfort fostered mental toughness and discipline that made the challenges during race day not so bad, and worth it in the end.

You learn something new about yourself through overcoming obstacles: Through the rewards of Indian buffet indulgence, I became a fanboy of the cuisine. Gulab jamun with rice kheer sure do bring feelings of joy to a man’s taste buds.

Failure shows us the way by showing us what is not the way: I had to make adjustments in my training after what I did that day did not work. Running without a good night’s rest is a bad idea.

Life is a process of breaking through impediments, as it what keeps life interesting: If there was no challenge, I would have no story to tell you. Let alone, there would be no Noy Sauce 🙁

The secret sauce to success in any personal endeavor is commitment: When people ask me how I can run extended distances, I tell them, “I just keep running.” The same logic applies when I ask a similar question to friends how they have a high alcohol tolerance, and they tell me, “I just keep drinking.”

A commitment to something over time, forms a part of your overall identity: If you knew me through my college years, I was not known as a “runner”. Three years out of college, I’ve been known as a “runner” to the people I have been fortunate to cross paths with.