I tried my hand at qualifying through NY Road Runners by completing 9 races and volunteering for 1. Unfortunately, tendonitis and the loss of a family member put the kabosh on that route. Then I thought, let me see if I can be lady luck and hopefully, get chosen through the lottery. Even though the odds of getting that were like my odds of saying no to my mother's cooking at any point during my lifetime. So I thought, a charity is going to be my ticket and in the end I will be able to do something greater than myself not just physically but by giving back.
It was 5 1/2 months of training leading up to the actual event. My world started revolving around one thing and one thing only... running. I would have to pass on social events because I knew I had to wake up and run double digits the next morning. Although some may think that it was smooth sailing, I will have you know it was absolutely not. There were times where I was just tired and wanted to enjoy being lazy for no reason at all. I had to become a planning machine and schedule everything to a tee so that I could make sure I was staying on track.
Fast forward to the weekend of the race... I was still not believing that I was going to take part in what is known as the world's, not just the United States, but the world's largest & toughest marathon. The hills! Picking up my bib number and goodie bag was definitely the moment where I thought to myself, "This is really happening! I'm really going to do this!" Now I can't lie when I say the night before the marathon I was having second thoughts. I was having huge moments of doubt and thinking about whether I had done everything I could to really prepare for this. I questioned whether I would even be able to finish the entire race and thought maybe I had made a mistake. That was essentially a huge lesson because I was realizing that in life the only obstacles or limits you have to overcome are the ones that you set on yourself.
The next morning was definitely glamorous by any means! It was cold and damp and a LONG waiting game just to get to the starting line. With the condition of the porto potties, let's just say that I'm happy I didn't chug too much water and that I peed prior to arriving. After the race started I can't even begin to explain the amount of love that NYC as a whole poured into this race. The streets were lined with people who had signs to cheer people on even if they didn't know anyone who was racing. It was really a moment where I realized why NYC is really the greatest city in the world despite it's faults. It helped to keep me going and whenever I would have any moment of weakness it was my friends and family but complete strangers cheering me on that kept me moving one foot in front of another.
At about mile 24 I knew I was in trouble when my legs started cramping even from walking. I had to keep stretching them out to keep from being sidelined and I knew I had worked too hard to let my chance of crossing the finish line be put out. Now that finish line was a moment I will never forget because at that very moment everything came full circle. That moment changed me and I can't even explain exactly in words but I knew that at that moment I had become a different person.
The marathon changed my life for the better. It gave me a sense of confidence that I don't think I would've gained anywhere else at a time when I desperately needed it. It also showed me that the cliche is real... you really can do anything you set your pretty little head to or in my case big head. It made me a better person and that filtered into other areas of my life. I really wish everyone could experience what it's like to run the NYC marathon once because it is bond that you form with yourself and others who have taken that journey. You learn more about yourself than any therapy session could offer you. It shows you a great deal about the human spirit and at the end of it all you're better for it. I can honestly say it was the most rewarding experience of my life to date.
