Four years ago today I ran the Philadelphia Marathon, without ever having run even a 5k before… At that time in my life it was my ultimate test of endurance and will power. Leading up to that race, I was in the process of going to therapy to try to eliminate crossdressing or any feminine urges from my mind. It was grueling mental and physical work, and 2014 was hell (until the very end of it). Looking back, I know now that I was both literally and figuratively running from my problems.
In 2017 I trained for the half, and I was at a point in my life where I was more embracing of my inner self in therapy. Literally and figuratively, I was running to my future. There are so many parallels in my life that seem to exist by more than just happenstance, it’s truly remarkable.
The full marathon was intense and I still don’t know if I’ll ever do another one, but I know for a fact I needed to go through that experience to prepare me for the marathon that is transitioning. It takes a long, long, LONG time, and requires me to keep moving when I stumble or when I don’t quite know where the end result is. But with determination, resilience and a bit of blind ambition I’ve learned that anything is possible.