I'm glad I took those extra 383 seconds - as a wise young girl once said, "When you run so fast to get somewhere, You miss half the fun of getting there."
I experienced so much more this time than on last year's attempt. Last year was all about finishing, about not failing, although having to pull out at mile 52 is hardly failing - it's two marathons back to back. But I'd pinned so much on getting that medal I forgot to just experience the journey. There's probably a metaphor for life in there somewhere!
This year was different. Sure, it was still about the finish - after all, that was the only reason I went back. To right a wrong; to beat it, show it who's boss. And I did that, but I gained so much more than a medal. It's a cliche, but I think I found myself out there in the wilderness and the loneliness; in the dark and the pain. In pushing through the wilderness I found peace; through the pain came strength.
And a medal.