Week 12: I feel like Michael Phelps...Ok, maybe not. But maybe like Eric Moussambani.

I have always loved the Olympics. I was totally that kid with the Mary Lou Retton leotard, imitating the moves while watching the 1984 games in Los Angeles. Some years seem to be more exciting than others, but I always enjoy watching. And this year is no exception- I was wowed throughout the opening ceremony (the thing with the people in the boxes is way up there on the list of coolest things ever,) I admit I cried a few times during the sappy Olympic commercials, and I've watched Michael Phelps win 5 gold medals so far, and set 5 world records in the process. But the thing that I think that touched me the most so far has been the entry parade.

Sure, it was long. I think I got up 3 times to make snacks (a by product of the marathon training is that I am now ALWAYS hungry.) But what's so cool is that there are so many countries for whom THAT is their Olympic moment.

In the US, we've got the Michael Phelps, the Shawn Johnsons, the "Redeem Team," these athletes of epic proportion who break records and amaze us with the ease and grace with which they perform.

But for other countries, that march into the Olympic stadium is as good as it gets. And let's be honest, that's pretty darn good. Just to make it to that stage- to set a goal and do whatever it takes to get there and make it happen. Even if you know from the outset that you aren't going to come home with a gold medal around your neck- you pushed yourself and challenged yourself and showed up to compete.

And their reward is that moment- walking into the stadium, knowing that you've made it. Have you ever heard of Eric Moussambani? Maybe, but probably not. Eric is from Equatorial Guinea, and competed in the 100m freestyle in the 2000 Olympics through a wildcard slot that encourages developing countries to participate. Through a stroke of random luck, the other 2 dudes in his preliminary heat scratched, so all Eric had to do was finish the laps and he would win his heat. Keep in mind that before coming to the Olympics, he'd never seen a 50m pool and had taken up swimming only 8 months before, practicing in a 20m pool at a nearby hotel. In the Hollywood version of the story, Eric would have gone on to swim the best race of his life in the final round, winning the gold for Equatorial Guinea and stunning the Russians, Chinese, French or Germans, or some other country the US likes to beat. But in the real world, some other guy set the world record at the time at 47:58, and our boy Eric, well, that's where the story gets good. It took him about twice the time it took the leader, but Eric finished the race with the stadium cheering him on as if he were going for gold. (If you want to watch his race, this is the best video I could find on youtube. No idea what language the commentators are speaking in, but the crowd cheering him on is great.)

99.9% of us are never going to win a gold medal. Heck, most of us are never even going to march in the entry parade, or even be Eric Moussambani. But we can all create our own Olympic moments. Moments when we can look back on what we've worked so hard for, and think, OK, I earned this moment right here, and I am going to enjoy it. I think mine will be around mile 25. Where all that stands between me and the finish line is a measly 1.2 miles. And I'm going to enjoy every minute of it, every step of it- because I earned it.

I could tell you about this week's long run, but in some good news, they are getting a little routine. This week was a mere 9.5 miles (which seems like peanuts after last week's 13,) although it was a little hilly which will be good practice for San Francisco. I could wax poetic about how crazy it is to be halfway there in distance, and over halfway there in time left training. I could spend this time thanking all of you who have donated so generously so far- I've collected just over $5,000 and that figure amazes me beyond words. For those of you who keep thinking, "Oh, I'm going to donate but I'll do it later," Thanks! Although we are kind of running out of later, so if you'd still like to donate, please do so at the link at the top right of this page by SEPTEMBER 15 (One month of fundraising to go!)

No, Instead of all that, I'm going to close by challenging you to find your Olympic moment. Life is too short not to push ourselves to do things that surprise us, and then to reap the rewards when we have done so. And I am proof that we've all got it in us. It doesn't have to be a marathon, heck, it doesn't even have to be an Eric Moussambani-style 100m freestyle finish. But find something...it feels good.