I never understood how people could like running; to me, it was pure torture. After struggling to run just a block, a postcard from a charity captivated my attention. The message was clear: run a marathon in Hawaii and help children battling cancer. An emotional presentation stirred something within me, and I signed up on the spot. With six months to fundraise thousands and prepare for 26.2 miles, I knew discipline and a rigorous training schedule were key. I tackled daily runs to build endurance and joined a running group that fostered camaraderie while pushing my limits. Race day in Hawaii was nerve-wracking, but the real challenge came at mile 22, when I hit ‘the wall.’ Overcoming both mental and physical fatigue required grit and relentless mantras of encouragement. Through sheer determination, I completed the marathon in 4:57:38. This journey taught me that though I still think running is torture, setting my mind to a goal made anything possible.