USC Marathon Team
26.2 miles?what a rush! Looking back today on the many months of training that led up to the L.A. Marathon, I almost feel foolish for doubting my ability to complete the whole race. Despite grueling early morning training runs and Saturday nights comprised of saying, "No, I have to run tomorrow, I have to go to sleep soon", I still felt completely terrified of failure come March 19, 2006. Little did I know the adrenaline from the Los Angeles crowds and fellow thousands of runners in the race would keep me going all the way through the finish line. I think now about all those times in the middle of the training season when I though to myself, "Forget it, I'm too tired all the time, I never get to have any fun on the weekends, I'm losing my life to this team." But now, it's all worth it. I feel so accomplished to say that, "I ran a marathon." What a feat! I feel so proud of both myself and my fellow team members because we can look at each other and say that we did it. I was never alone during the race; I could always at least see another USC Marathon Team member, if I wasn't already running alongside one, and, the whole time, I knew everyone else was running along the course and accomplishing the same feat I was. It was so amazing to be cheered on by so many people -every thirty seconds, I heard someone on the sidelines yell, "Fight On!" or "Go USC!", and that pride I felt in yelling it right back to them, however exhausted I was at the time, kept me going better thanany energy gel or water cup could ever do.
I feel like during the course of this race, I've changed as a person. I feel stronger mentally, like I can do anything if
I put my mind to it. Sure, itss a cliche saying, but in all honesty, I don't feel like it would be a valid statement to me
if I hadn't experienced it firsthand. I've learned that putting in the right training, care for my body, and mental
attitude can help me achieve my goals, no matter how difficult they may seem. A year ago, I would have never imagined
myself running a marathon! But now I realize that it is a task for not only the physically strong, but the physically
disciplined and the mentally determined. I know I could have not completed the L.A. marathon without the weekday training
runs, the taxing weekend long runs, and the constant encouragement and leadership of the Marathon Team coaches. As
experienced marathon runners, they truly guided us first-time marathoners down a road to success by showing us that
marathons are the product of hard work and enjoying yourself throughout the entire process! I no longer feel like gave up
my precious weekends for nothing, or worse yet, for feeling tired, achy, and stressed out. Instead, I know that I have
reaped the harvest from five whole months of disciplined, determined effort, receiving one of the best feelings of
accomplishment, pride, and true enjoyment that I have ever felt in my entire life.
Catherine Banton
Class of 2009
March 19, 2006