"you ran 26.2 miles! that is such an accomplishment!" "i'm so impressed" "amazing, i say"

it hadn't really sunk in. no "pride", "sense of accomplishment". untill this -

"i'm so proud of you my love. we were all so in awe, so proud of you that all four of us signed up for the 10K on the 28th! that'll be our gift to mom" - dad

november 28th is my mother's birthday. my dad, mom, sister and brother have registered for the 10K run being held in hyderabad. and then maybe, just maybe, they will know what it feels like. they will understand what i mean when i say i feel no pride. when i say the one feeling that lingers -beyond the pride, the agony, the ecstasy - is calm. the calm that comes from the knowledge that you are strong enough. not just physically, more so mentally. that you can be pushed to your limits and still survive. and in the end, still stand strong, and smile.

current song Like a Prayer by Madonna