In April 2025, I completed a half marathon.
I still can’t quite believe it. The fact that small, steady efforts each day could take me this far—it’s something my past self could never have imagined. A year ago, this future felt impossible.
Back then, just running for 30 minutes made my knees hurt. Because of an injury from my college days, I assumed long-distance running was no longer something I could do. Even when I was younger—in elementary and middle school—I hated marathon events. Running 5 kilometers felt like I might actually die.
And yet here I am now, having finished a half marathon.
Tiny bits of progress every day—just trying to move forward even by a millimeter—that accumulation brought me to where I am today. And at 53 years old, no less. At an age when most people start to feel their physical strength decline, I’ve managed to do something I couldn’t do when I was young. It still amazes me.
This experience taught me something else as well:
“Human beings have possibilities that go beyond age.”
This challenge is just one milestone I encountered while training for triathlons. But the sense of accomplishment I gained here is irreplaceable.
“I have a wonderful talent that was given to me by God.”
This became the perfect opportunity to remind myself of that. No matter what others say, even if someone questions my ability or worth, I want to keep believing in myself. As proof of that resolve, the memory of completing this half marathon will remain strong in my heart for years to come.