Tag Archives: fitness

What’s up!

Last weekend, I ran the San Francisco Marathon, Sutter Health Half Marathon through Golden Gate Park. And I’m still trying to process it.

A week before the race, I was sick. The kind of sick where your throat burns and you wonder if your body is quietly negotiating with you to stay in bed. But something in me wanted to show up anyway. Not to PR. Not to prove anything dramatic. Just to start.

The morning air in Golden Gate Park was cold and damp, the kind that sits on your skin. At the starting line, surrounded by thousands of runners, I felt surprisingly calm. The first few miles felt steady. My legs remembered the long runs. My breathing found a rhythm. I let myself believe: maybe this will be okay.

Mile 9 felt heavier.

And then mile 10 hit.

It wasn’t dramatic. There was no cinematic slow-motion moment. Just a sudden, hollow fatigue that spread from my legs to my head. My pace slowed. My thoughts blurred. I remember thinking, this is the wall everyone talks about. After that, everything feels foggy. I blacked out the rest of the race, not literally collapsing, but mentally gone. My body kept moving, one foot in front of the other, while my brain drifted somewhere quieter.

It’s strange how the body knows what to do when the mind can’t keep up.

Somewhere in that last stretch, I heard cheering. I remember flashes: trees lining the road, sunlight breaking through, someone yelling my name. And then suddenly, the finish line was there. I crossed it not with a sprint, not with tears, just with a deep, stunned relief.

I had done it. Sick the week before. Hitting the wall at mile 10. Still finishing.

I didn’t run my fastest race..

But I finished.

And sometimes, that’s the entire point.

Live, Laugh, Love,

Jessica Ngok 🌎

Dear Earth,

Today I ran my first 10k for the Hers Breast Cancer Foundation, and I still can’t believe I crossed the finish line in first place for my age group. The morning started early and cold, with the sky barely awake and the air full of quiet excitement. As I pinned on my race bib and stretched beside other runners, I thought about what this run meant. It wasn’t just about racing; it was about supporting those affected by breast cancer and honoring the resilience of survivors. Every step I took reminded me of the strength it takes to fight, to heal, and to keep going even when it hurts.

The course was tough. There were moments when my legs burned and my breathing grew heavy, but I kept going. The cheering crowd, pink banners, and small groups of families holding signs gave me energy when I started to fade. Around mile five, I felt the exhaustion start to lift, replaced by determination. I pushed forward, focusing on the rhythm of my steps and the sound of the wind. When I finally saw the finish line, something inside me surged. I sprinted the last stretch, crossing with a smile that felt both tired and proud.

Winning first place in my age group was a surprise, but it wasn’t the medal that mattered most. It was knowing that I ran for something bigger than myself and that every mile made a difference. Standing among the other runners, I felt grateful: for my health, for the people cheering, and for the chance to contribute to a cause that gives hope. This race reminded me that strength comes in many forms, whether it’s running a 10k or fighting through something much harder. And as I cooled down and watched the sunrise stretch across the sky, I promised myself to keep running—with purpose, gratitude, and heart.

Love,

Jessica Ngok