I would like to share my story of how hard work and determination can make what at one time seemed impossible, possible. Just 1 year and 8 months ago, I could not run more than 2 miles without complaining of pain. I was for lack of better words, the definition of a couch potato. It was about that time that I met the girl of my dreams, who kept asking me to go on runs with her. Not only could I not say no because it would be passing on a chance to spend time with her, but over the course of the first few months she pushed me to try things I never would have dreamed of. "Try a half marathon"- yeah right. Well I did it. And then I had the full in my sights (something that just months ago was for "crazies"). About that time in early 2013 our lives changed forever. She ran boston, I spectated. Needless to say the events made an impact on us that hit me deep. I kept the idea of knowing that if she were to finish just 15 mins later that I may not have ever gotten the chance to run that infamous full marathon. I will never let pain hold me back during a race and I will never take my ability to endure and even to run for granted. In 20 months since my first logged run I have ran 4 full marathons. I want people to remember that running isn't just a reason to get off the couch, but an ability and a freedom that we should always embrace and never take for granted. On race day, soak up that mountain air and, even through the pain, endure with a smile on your face-because you can.