After months of training, the day of the Baltimore Marathon finally arrived this past Saturday. That morning, the city flooded with runners of all ages (including myself, my wife, daughter and son), ready to tackle the hilly route with athletic ambition. And trust me, you need all the determination you can get to conquer this 26 mile figure eight of the city.

I felt pretty good during the first half of the marathon, but soon after, I started to cramp up. The last seven miles were especially tough. On mile 19, there’s a steady incline to Lake Montebello, and as you approach and run around the lake, you can really see just how much farther you have left to go.

Reaching this place is particularly challenging, not just physically, but mentally as well—convincing yourself to keep moving despite exhaustion, deciding to triumph instead of give up. I kept my eyes down to concentrate on each step as a victory rather than on the 7-mile road ahead of me.

And finally, I crossed the finish line. Another sufferfest completed! Now I’m going to get a massage.

Any challenge can be seen as an opportunity to rise to the occasion and show your fortitude. Training for and participating in a marathon during our peak busy season may seem like an impossible feat. To be honest, there were times when I felt as though the odds were stacked against me—when my back gave out, for instance. Or when I was stuck at a business meeting out of town and my daughter suffered a sports injury. Sometimes, training is the last thing on your mind.

That’s why Ultimate Health is so important. It simplifies your life and helps handle and reconcile the scary moments so that you can tackle a multitude of challenges simultaneously and still come out on top. My time is spread pretty thin, but Ultimate Health makes it possible to stay healthy, keep my family healthy and train for a marathon all while remaining focused at work.

It’s been a long road, and my legs are ready for a little rest. Thanks for following along! A few final thoughts: always invest in your health and continue to challenge yourself. Remember, it’s never easy, but it’s worth it!

If you have any questions about Ultimate Health, don’t hesitate to reach out to me personally: ed.walker@armadacare.com.