I’m unable to process all the emotions coursing through me as I hit the iconic black and red carpet.
Heavy steps carry me forward.
As I cross the finish line I hear, “In third place Laney Matteson! Congratulations Laney, you are a TitaniumPerson!”
I smile through the exhaustion and through the pain I lift my arms overhead in victory.
Two volunteers are at my side a moment later to hold me up, wrap me in a thermal blanket and one of them slings a medal over my head.
I’m laughing and feel tears streaming down my face while they help me over to an area with folding chairs and replenishment supplies.
“Can I get an electrolyte drink?” I ask and one of them nods and heads off.
“What else can we get you Laney?” The other asks.
“My crocs please.” I laugh and she does too as she heads off to get my gear bag.
Reaching down to untie my shoes feels like an impossible task so I stay put. I lean back in the folding chair and let my limbs fall where they please.
I did it. I finished the Chicago TitaniumPerson Race. In third place.
I could fucking win one of these things.
It was part of Dad’s parting request but until today, I wasn’t sure it would be actually possible.
But this summer has taught me to lean into support, to believe in myself, and the joy is to be found in the process.
Because training with my incredibly attractiveCoachis definitely the funnest part of all this.
Miguel should be able to get back here easily enough, Dee and my mom will have a little harder time but Dee knows where to wait for me. I still can’t believe my mom came in for this.
For me.
"Excuse me." I open my eyes to see a woman standing next to me. She's wearing an Athlala branded training jacket and has a business card in her hand. My post-race hallucinations have leveled up with my performance. Or, is it actually possible, someone from the leading women’s athletic brand is here to talk to me? "I'm Mara Linton, I work with Athlala on talent acquisition."
"Hi, I'm Laney Matteson." I say as I extend my hand to shake. I don’t know if it’s trembling from exhaustion or from the excitement of what I think is happening.
"I know." She smiles and pulls a folding chair over and takes a seat. "I'm sorry I couldn't be at your last race, that was an incredible performance."
"Thank you."
"And I always feel weird cold calling people. It feels like spam." I chuckle. "Anyway, Athlala would be proud to have yourepresent our brand. Here's my card, call me this week and we will go through all the details, but I hope you'll say yes."
"I kind of want to say yes on the spot!" I laugh and she does too. Behind her I see Miguel approaching and his presence settles me. "But I'll call you and we'll figure out what this means."
"I like that plan." She smiles. "Well, I'll let you get to your recovery. Congratulations on another great race today. I look forward to working with you."
"Yeah, umm, same." I manage to say as tears fill my eyes. She stands and I force myself upright to shake her hand again.
My coach wouldn’t want me getting too stiff after the race anyway.
Mara gives Miguel a nod as she walks away and he returns it but his eyes stay on me as he approaches.
"Laney baby! Great race!" Miguel wraps his arms around me and this hug, right here, makes all the pain worth it.
"Thank you Miguel, how was yours?"
"Great! Finished right in the top group and then got another 20 miles in on the bike before coming back to cheer you to the finish line."
