Callie POV
September 20th
"Good luck" the lady behind the desk says as she hands me my numbers and the chip that will help track my time
"Thank you" I reach for them and we exchange smiles. Next moment she is already talking to the next participant. I head over to the spot where all my friends and family are waiting for me. They were all standing in a huddle. I noticed that Harold and Linda were missing.
Mom was standing up, with the help of crutches, Cooper was right next to her, ready to help if needed. No matter how hard she was against crutches this morning, neither one of us allowed her to head out of the house without them. This wasn't just some small walk to the bathroom or to the backyard. This was a marathon event, this will last for hours, probably for 5-6 hours in total. She needed them, whether she likes it or not.
"What number did you get?" Jude asked as I walked up to them
I hold the big number, that is suppose to go on my chest, up for them "1804" I say and stand next to Jude and Mariana
"Are you nervous?" Stef asked with a a worried look in her eyes. She was standing next to Lena and they were holding hands.
"I feel like I'm going to puke" I reply and they all laugh at that "It's not funny! I have a feeling I will forget how to run"
"You will be fine honey" Lena says kindly "We all believe in you"
"It's not so hard, running I mean. You just need to put one foot in front of another" Cooper says with a smile
"And you have to do that just for 4-5 hours...in a fast pace" Mackenzie says and snaps a picture of me, with my camera, which I trusted to her
"If she can even run it in 4 hours" Jesus interjects "How long can you run?"
"I could run for 2:40 while I was training" I say once again looking down the number and the chip in my hand
"How the hell are you planning to run the other half?" Brandon asks me placing his hands in his jeans pockets
"Power of will, determination" I chuckle back as I stick one of the numbers to my leg "Also lots of hoping and praying"
"Look what I got!" Harold announced walking up. Linda next to him was shaking her head. Harold had bought the official marathon shirt you can get in the souvenir stand and he had already pulled it over his sweater.
"Dad, why would you even buy that!" Mom said looking at him "You can buy 3 shirts for that price!"
"I wanted something to remember this event! It's not everyday my granddaughter participates in a marathon!" He says back looking down to his new shirt and then glances up to me and winks at me
"Isn't it great?" He asked for some support from others. Both Stef and Lena stood just looking blankly at him. They were with Amy and Linda on this one.
"Cooper?" He glances to him and pulls on the shirt as he gives up on the two woman "Cool right?"
"Um...it's okay...I guess" Cooper says hesitantly. Once he said that mom gave him a look, he just shrugged back. It was like he was telling mom, that he had to say it, because it was her dad and he had to agree with him.
"Thank you!" Harold says with a big smile on his lips
"I want one too!" Frankie called out "Moms?" she looked up to the two woman "Can I get one...pleaseeeese?"
"Baby, you don't need another shirt" Lena says stroking her hair softly
"But I want one!" Frankie argued back flashing her puppy dog eyes at them
"That's not going to work, Missy!" Stef says firmly "You have a closet full of shirts"
"But...but...please"
"Come on Frankie!" Harold extended his arm to the little girl "I will get you one"
Both Lena and Stef turned to him "Harold, you don't-" Lena started
"Nonsense!" He held up his hand to stop Lena "I would be happy to buy it for her. At least I will match in shirts with someone. We will be the cool people" He smiles at Frankie
Frankie looked between Harold and her moms. I could tell that Lena and Stef were both silently discussing it.
"Please, I will wash it myself mama!" Frankie pleaded to her mom making us all chuckles, she was pulling at the end of her shirt nervously
"Oh, in that case" Lena smiled to her
"How can we say no" Stef finishes. Frankie hugs both Stef and Lena's legs and then runs up to Harold and grabs his hand. The two of them walk away hand in hand.
"I told him not to buy the shirt" Linda says once he has walked away "But you know how your father is!" she says to mom, who nods understanding what she is talking about.
Mariana helps me put the number on my chest and on the back of the shirt "Shouldn't you be going to the start?" I hear camera clicks as this is happening. Mackenzie was circling us, taking one picture after another.
"Yeah, probably. The start is in 5 min" I say and glance down to my watch on my hand. I kneel down and put the chip around my shoelace.
"Good luck!" I get the first hug from Mariana once I stand back up
Then Mackenzie wraps her hand around me and pulls me to her side. She hands the camera to Mariana to snap a quick picture of the two of us. Then one by one, I walk around the small huddle and I receive a hug and wish of good luck from everyone.
"You are going to do great!" Lena says as I move from a hug from her to a one handed hug from Stef
"Don't start too fast" Stef gives a little advice "Save your energy!"
"Mm-hmm" I hum back as lean out
I get a quick side hug from Cooper "Try to stay with somebody. It will be easier to keep the pace that way"
"I know" I smile to him and then take a small step to side to finally get a hug and kiss from mom. Cooper keeps a hold of her right hand crutch for a short moment
"We will be keeping our fingers crossed for you all the way to the end" Mom says placing her right hand on the side of my neck
I nod back right before she pulls me in an embrace. I still have to be very careful, because her wounds are still healing. I give her a gently hug back.
"I will see you at the finish line. You can do it, honey. Love you!" she whispers in my ear
"Love you too mom"
With that I head away from them, through the crowd of people to the start line. There were already hundredth people waiting, jogging in their spot, warming up as they waited for the start. I find my spot, in the shadow side of the street and put in one of my earphones. I open a folder that I created specifically for this event. It had bunch of songs with a fast beat, strong lyrics that will keep me energized and keep me motivated. I place the player in the player holder that was around my left upper arm and try to focus the best I can, as I wait for the start.
Amy POV
As soon as Callie leaves, Jesus picks up the topic he started before "Okay, so mom placed her bet at 4:30. Mariana said 4:20. Jude placed his bet at 4:22, Brandon said 5:05..."
Everyone looks to Brandon as he bet that Callie will run for over 5 hours. No one had bet even close to that. His time was the longest. Stef shook her head as she looked at her eldest son.
"Where's the faith, dude!" Jesus asks in disbelief as he looks to his older brother "Unbelievable"
"We all can't bet around 4:30! That's not realistic! You heard it...she has been running for just 2:40 in training. No way she can run the whole marathon under 5 hours. That's just not possible" Brandon reasoned back with a small shoulder shrug
"Frankie slash Lena bet to 4:25. Mackenzie said 4:26. Linda bet on 4:15, while Harold bet Callie would run in 4:10. Cooper said 4:05..."Jesus continued reading the numbers from his phone "And I will say…let's see" he thinks for a moment as he looks somewhere up front "I will go with 4:24!" he types his bet in
He looks up to me "What's your bet, Amy?"
Everyone looks to me to say a number. The pressure is huge, tension as well. Some have even held their breathes as they wait for my answer.
"3:59"
There were gasps heard after that. Few mouthed parted in surprise, few people were looking at me with big eyes.
"We have first bet under 4 hours" Jesus announces and types the time in his phone
"Really?" Brandon asks looking the most surprised "Under 4? You heard her say how long she was run-"
"I know what she said Brandon" I interject and shifted slightly as I gripped the crutches better in my hands "I know my daughter. I know she will do it in under 4" I replied with certainty in my voice
"And the bet is closed" Jesus says locking up his phone "The 3 people who will be the furthest from the real result will make dinner for Callie, whatever she wants!"
Callie POV
The start
The flair goes up, signalling the start of the race. Start was really slow, because of the big crowd. I can only start to slowly run after some 10 seconds and even then it is side by side with about 30 other runners. I need to watch my step so I don't step on someone's heel.
As we run the first bit, which was down the main road, we were all cheered on by the spectators. There were lot of signs, most of the spectators were clapping and shouting out some encouraging words, some where waving for a loved one. The atmosphere was great.
When I was about 500 meters in the run, I saw my friends and family at the side of the street as well. Frankie was sitting on Jesus shoulders, holding a big sign that said "Go-Callie-Go!". Jude was holding another sign up that read "You can do it, Callie!" Mom was leaned at the barrier, clapping and cheering for me. Everyone else was right beside her. I give them a small wave back as I run pass them.
This was it, I was actually doing it. I was running a marathon. So far so good. The crowd was slowly starting to scatter as each and every one of the runner started to run in their own speed. At the turn I see the first sign that read – 700m. That means I have just run the first 700 metes of the 42, 195. This was just the beginning.
You can do this - I say to myself as I make the turn.
5km aka 3.1 miles
Okay. I'm still doing okay. Pace is good. Breathing okay. Nothing hurts. I'm doing good.
The runner in the red shirts is sure running fast. Number 2203. He run past me like I was standing. Ah, don't worry, Callie. He will regret it later. He's going to be out of energy any minute now. While I will be slowly running in my own pace. My pace is a good pace. I like my pace.
The Sun is shining, but it isn't too hot. Good thing we started this whole thing early on. There is a nice, cooling wind that hits me from my right side. It was refreshing.
10 km aka 6.2 miles
Thirsty! So incredibility thirsty!
Oh, look! The second stop where you can get a drink. I run closer to the right side of the street and grab the small cup form one of the personnel that held it out. I drink some of it, to just get my mouth wet and the rest I pour over my head to freshen up.
I hate to litter- I think to myself as I toss the small cup to the side of the street, like everyone does – I'm sorry I littered you up San Diego! I will volunteer in some community work after this just to make up for littering! I promise!
The song "Remember the name" by Fort Minor comes up and I feel energized by it. I start to run in a bit faster pace because of it. I mumble the lyrics to myself as I keep on running. This was a good choice of song.
20 km aka 12.4 miles
The sing in front of me tells me I am halfway there.
Only half? Jeez...I have been running like hell and I am only in half? I want to stop! Why did I even agree to this? Gosh, this is all Stef's fault!
I don't think I can make it another 20km. I feel so tired. The Sun is shining too bright. There is no shadow in this part of the rout. There is just Sun, Sun, Sun. My mouth feels super dry. My feet start to hurt a little as well as my side. As I keep running, I do some breathing exercises to help stop the pain in my side.
I don't know if I can make it. This is just too hard. This is torture. How can anyone do this for a living? Why would someone willingly torture themselves like this? Profession sport is torture. Crazy people!
25km aka 15.5 miles
Think, Callie, think! I know you know this. Just think! Why is is exactly 42, 195 kilometers. There was a story behind this. I knew there was.
Something...something in the accent...something.
I come up blank.
It was like my brain wasn't working anymore. Whoever said that activity is good for brain was wrong. My brain is no longer working. All I can think about is kitties and puppies. That's it!
I remember looking at some images on the internet, where puppies and dogs were stung by a bee. It was so funny. Their muzzles were swell up. They looked so sad and so miserable, yet completely and utterly cute and funny. I chuckle to myself as I keep picturing this one puppy.
But then I suddenly remember the answer as to why it was 42, 195 kilometers. There was a Greek messenger. He was sent by the leader to run to the Athens to deliver a message that the Persians were defeated. He had to run exactly 42,195 kilometers to deliver the message.
30 km aka 18,6 miles
Waffles. Blueberry waffles with syrup on top. Pancakes! Ice cream. Chocolate ice cream. Strawberry smoothie! Waffles! Mmm...waffles and coffee.
Hey, look...the red shirt guy. Hi red shirt guy...look, I'm passing you! I told you not to run so fast. I told you, you should have listened, dude!
35 km aka 21, 7 miles
I can't. Help. I can't anymore. Everything hurts! Everything! Why are my hands hurting? So much pain! I am so exhausted! So freaking exhausted! Breathing comes so hard! I am covered in sweat.
Walk. I want to walk! Please, make it stop! Can I stop? Would anyone notice if I stopped? Just for a moment...NO, Callie NO! Don't stop! Keep running. One foot in front of the other. That's it...good. Keep on running.
Ugh, this is so hard. So thirsty. And hungry…? Am I really hungry? Yup, I'm hungry! That's so weird.
40 km aka 24, 8 miles
Was that...did I just pass...it couldn't! But it was. It was! 40 miles sign! Yeee, hell yeah! I actually made it. I am so close. So close! I can't give up now. I'm right at the end! I have to finish this! I can finish this! I will finish this!
41 km aka 25, 4 miles
The people are cheering louder suddenly. Are they cheering for me? They are! OMG...is that...that's the finish line! I can see the finish line. I need to get there!
I pick up my pace as I start to run the last kilometer. I'm not tired anymore. I feel full of energy.
Please don't fall, please don't fall. Don't trip...watch the crack...don't fall!
Finish
I run pass the finish line and press stop to the timer on my watch. A woman hands me a bottle of water and a banana. I take both of them. Thankfully the bottle was open and the banana was half peeled off. My leg feel so weird. I can't walk normally. I feel like my legs are about to give up on me. I was still breathing heavily as I walked down the main street to some free space.
I lift the water bottle to my lips and taste the fresh drink. Then all of a sudden another lady walks up to me and places a medal around my neck. She smiles at me and says something. I don't hear what, I still have my earphones in.
I pour some of the water over my head to cool myself down and then sip the last of it.
And then I see them.
"Callieeeee!" They are all coming my way calling my name. Before I actually register what is happening I am in the middle of big hug. I feel kisses on my cheeks and pats on my back and arms.
The earphones fall out of my ears and I hear all their voices. They are all speaking at once. I can't make out anything. I just know that I have a big smile on my face and I can't stop it. I am happy! I made it!
I felt so proud of myself. I don't think I have ever felt this proud in my entire life.
I just run a fucking marathon!
Then, there is just mom in front of me. She places both hands on my cheeks "I'm so fucking proud of you Callie! You did it! Oh my gosh...Callie" She kisses my forehead, each cheek and then pulls me in a big, tight hug. I can't hug her back. My arms felt so heavy. Besides I was holding the banana and the drink in my hand.
This was still so surreal for me.
"What's the time?" Linda asks "I can't see that far"
"Callie Scott -1804...3:59:55" Jesus reads the result of the big screen
"You can't be serious!...How?" Brandon muttered to himself as he looks to the screen and sees the result
"Did you time it yourself ?" Cooper asked me as I just stood there, blinking and chewing the banana. I nodded back.
"And?" Mariana asked curiously walking closer to me
"Yes...and?" Mackenzie added from behind the camera
I lift my right hand up to look at the timer on my watch "3:59:51"
Mom called out so suddenly I jumped "I knew it! I told you! Didn't I tell you!" She kissed the side of my head few more times "That's my girl!"
I take another bite out of the banana and look around them "What?"
"We bet on you" Cooper explains to me "Your mom put the closest time on your run. She was the only one who said you can do it in under 4 hours"
"Well..how long did Brandon bet - he looks shocked and devastated" I looked over to Brandon
"5 hours" Lena explains
"So...do I get anything out of this bet...I mean, I was the one who actually run a marathon today"
"By my notes..." Jesus says scrolling through his phone "Brandon, Stef and...Mackenzie have to make you dinner. Whatever you wish. Your wish is their command!"
"Cool!" I say smiling at them
I was sitting on the porch in the backyard with a bowl of ice cream in my hands. Mackenzie next to me was almost done with hers.
"This is so weird..." She says when she looks back to the house
"What is?" I ask back not sure what she meant by that
"I'm hanging out with the VP...it's so strange"
"Lena?" I chuckle "Yeah...she's not the VP here"
"I know. That's why it's so weird. She's so different here" Mackenzie says back when she looks to me
"It took me a while to get use to it as well"
"I'm not sure I will ever get use to the seeing her so relaxed, carefree and happy" Mackenzie looks to her empty bowl "I will go check if I can get some more ice cream. You want some more?"
"No thanks, I'm good" I look to my half-full ice cream bowl
After Mackenzie walks back in the house, I hear the doors opening again in few seconds. A moment later Stef walks up to me, holding a bowl of ice cream in her own hand. She places the bowl on the small table in front of me and sits down next to me.
"How does it feel?" She asks as she sat down next to me
"Wired" I say and take a small spoon of ice cream "I mean...I knew I ran it, but I still can't believe it. It still feels unreal. Like a dream or something."
"Well, it's real" She says patting my back "You did it. I knew you could do it"
"How could you possibly have known? I could have given up half way in the run or even before it. I could have stop training in the middle of the summer"
"Nah" She shakes her head "...that's not you. You would never just give up. You would do everything to prove me wrong. Callie Quinn Scott is not a quitter!" I blush as she says that, I smile shyly back
"Your mom is really proud of you, you know that right?" I nod back to her, smiling
"We are all proud of you" I nod back once again "I'm glad you proved me wrong, Callie!"
"I'm glad I proved you wrong too" I grin back at her. Stef looks to me with a grin on her lips. A moment later she leans to give me a kiss on my temple.