I think 13.1 has become my favorite number. I wear it on my wrist and on my chest. You’ll find it hanging up on my bedroom wall, scribbled over and over into my training journal, carved into my Halloween pumpkins, and even inked permanently onto my skin.

I like to keep it around where I can see it, always. It’s a constant reminder of something I never thought was possible. Then a crazy dream. And then a reality that I had made for myself. “I’m not a runner”, I would think to myself. But I became one by running. “I could never cover 13.1 miles on foot! I just run for fun!”, I would tell people when asked if I ever thought I’d run a half marathon. “I’m not entirely sure I can go this”, I told my husband as I signed up for my very first race. One with that scary and yet very tantalizing number attached to it. 13.1.

And then I did it. 13.1 miles covered on foot, mostly by running. I crossed the finish line, hugged my husband, had a medal hung around my neck, and while someone put a carton of chocolate milk into my hands I realized that I had become a new person. A person who was capable of dreaming big and doing something that scared the absolute shit out of her. A person who could do hard things. Someone who was determined to put in the hard work and make things happen. A “real” runner.

And then I did it again. And again. And I plan to continue doing it for as long as I possibly can. 13.1. It’s a number I’ve come to love. A number I sometimes hate. A number that’s broken my heart into a million pieces and has made me question my life choices. But I keep coming back. I’m always chasing that 13.1 finish line. Because more than anything it’s a number that’s taught me that I am capable of more than I’ve ever imagined.

Maybe one day I’ll decide to go after a 26.2. Now THAT’S a number that’s a number that’s been put on a pedestal. One of the biggest accomplishments you can achieve as a runner in some people’s minds. A number that I just might be able to learn to love too.

But for now I’m going to stick with my 13.1. It’s a number I’ll always hold near and dear to my heart and will forever be one of my greatest accomplishments.