On October 8, 2021, I finally ran my first marathon. It still doesn’t feel real, mostly because it was an entirely virtual race, meaning there was no finish line or cheering crowds. It also was easily the most difficult run of my life. While the finish line was virtual, the miles to get there were not any less real. Running usually comes easy to me, which made the training for this first marathon both easier and harder. I signed up for the race originally in the spring of this year, but after an insanely busy spring and summer, I did not end up starting my training till July. In July…