My Inspiration

The New York City Marathon is a little over a week away. No, I’m not running the marathon! I just ran a complete 5K for the first time about a month ago! Sheesh!

However, I know several people who are running it this year, and for a few of them, this will be their first marathon. While I won’t be running it, I think I am just as excited for them to run it as they are. You see, for most of them, they started just like I did. I’ve heard their stories of how they walked for 10 minutes, then 20, then 30. Then they started jogging for a minute or two while they were walking and it snowballed from there.

My friend Sheryl is an energizer bunny who runs, runs stairs for fun, and bikes everywhere in four-inch heels. She also has been training for the marathon will run her first ever marathon on November 4. She writes a fantastic blog about her fitness adventures at http://www.sherylyvette.com/ and recently blogged about her marathon training. Yes, she chronicles her fitness adventures for all to see, and it has been so fabulous to be a spectator of all of her new fitness milestones.

One of my other first-time marathon friends is Christina. She lost so much weight, which you can read about at http://www.weightwatchers.com/success/art/index.aspx?SuccessStoryId=16491&sc=17. She has been dealing with injuries for much of her training, which has made her rethink her strategy for the marathon. I know she is disappointed she won’t be running as fast as she might, I know she will still power through and have a fantastic race.

I know, this is supposed to be about me, and believe me it is. Sheryl and Christina and my other friends like them inspire me so much. I know they have put in tons of hours and produced lots of sweat and tears to get to run the marathon.  I see how they have struggled with injuries and illnesses to fight and overcome. Like me, they were also overweight not long ago, they worked and believed in themselves enough to get to this point.

This year I made a goal for myself to run nine New York Road Runners Races. I have run five races to date and have four more to go (I’m already registered for three of the four). My reasoning for doing this, besides the obvious health benefits: NYRR members (that’s me!!) who run nine races and perform one volunteer stint (which I’m doing this Sunday, probably in the rain) are automatically to the 2013 NYC Marathon. No, I’m not planning on running the marathon next year, despite what some people may think (and you know who you are), but I hate being told I can’t do something just because I didn’t run enough races or volunteer.

The point is, no matter when I run my first marathon, and I will, I know I will have to put in as much work as my friends have. In the past, I would dread all of the work that I need to put in and would probably avoid it. I don’t any longer. Yes, new challenges and obstacles can be scary. Dammit, they are scary, but I truly look forward to the challenges. I learned a long time ago that the harder you work for the things you want, the more precious they are when you get them. I plan on working my ass off.