The Final Countdown… REM Running a Marathon this Sunday!

julie flygare marathon narcolepsy runner

On my final training run tonight, I got to thinking — last time I ran a marathon, I ended up writing a book about it. I wonder what the Rock n Roll San Diego Marathon has in store for me!

So far, this marathon experience has been a wild ride. I started training in the midst of a crumbling relationship that ended just a few weeks later, leaving me with a heavy heart. In addition, working full-time and running Project Sleep on nights and weekends left me very little free time.

“You don’t have to do this,” said one of my best friends in January, sensing my stress and exhaustion.

“I know but I am going to do it anyway,” I responded.

I have this stubborn streak in me. Plus I was running for the Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship, a cause so very close to my heart. Show me some love, click here!

So I put one lethargic foot in front of another. I took two 30-minute runs on work nights and longer runs on weekends. I rotated between running 8 minutes and walking 2 minutes. On work nights, I often napped before running, even if this meant running as the daylight was fading or gone, it was the only way.

I can’t say I ever felt strong, but I felt possible when I ran. As if strength was possible. Happiness was possible. Smiling was possible. Loving myself was possible.  I found a better version of myself out there.

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Running saved me this spring, it gave me a goal, boxes to check off on my calendar, and a new path to follow.

At 6:15 a.m. this Sunday, I will stand at the start line in San Diego – the final box to check off, the looming 26.2. I will think of my dad. And I will think of you – my friends, family and supporters who have carried me through my darkest days and reminded me that I am worthy of love and not alone.

Then, I will do the only thing I know how to do – I will put one lethargic foot in front of the other and see how far this body will carry me. Ever onward. 

If you’d like to track my progress during the marathon, you can sign up to receive free live text message updates: https://www.competitorwireless.com/. Thank you for your support!

After Running 16 miles on Sunday

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she was unstoppable

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2 Comments

  1. Saraiah on May 30, 2015 at 5:07 pm

    Oh, you GO, gal! Your lethargic feet – and those of so many in our sleepy community – accomplish such amazing things. Thanks for your example of how to keep going even when the going feels like slogging. So proud of you – and I know your Dad is too. <3 <3 <3

  2. Shona on May 30, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    Wishing you all the best from Queensland. I am sure you will do amazingly well. We will be cheering you on from the other side of the world xx

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