I’ve always wanted to run the ING NYC marathon. Every year I turn on the TV on the first
Sunday of November, curl up on my couch in my pajamas and watch as thousands of
people run through the streets of New
York City, telling myself “one day that will be
you.” This past year I ventured into the
city to finally watch the race in person – the enthusiasm of the crowd was
overwhelming and the pride on each runner’s face as they rounded the bend of
the final mile in Central Park made me ache
with envy. A few months later when an
email was circulated at work about Team in Training, I took it as a sign that
the time had come to cross this goal off my bucket list. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) is
such a great organization, with 76.2% of the funds raised going to research,
patient services and education. My
grandma Betty passed away from Lymphoma and I feel fortunate to be able to run
in her memory.
Running is my therapy.
When I run I surrender myself to gravity and just throw one foot in
front of the other, confident that it will land in place and carry me
forward. It allows me time to reflect on
my thoughts, explore my dreams, clear my head and lose myself in my Bruce
Springsteen playlist. Much like going to
church, I never regret going for a run after I have finished. Too often I get caught up in the superficial
crap in life but running makes me thankful for what I have and so I keep running…because
I can.
So…why am I blogging?
Well, I figured my friends and family would be waiting with bated breath
to hear all the details of my training and this seems to be the best medium for
sharing the news (although I’d really prefer to tell you over a drink at happy
hour, but this will have to do for now!).
I was never one to keep a journal when I was younger (when I moved out
of my parents’ house I found at least 12 journals with one or two entries in
them - apparently I have commitment issues) but I want this blog to hold me
accountable for my training as well. And
of course, I want this journey to be well documented so I when I re-read this
story to my future children and grandchildren (wearing my medal of course, we
all know I really just like to run for the race bling) I won’t forget a single
detail. J
This morning started my official marathon training. I was up at 6am (yes, the girl who peels
herself out of bed at 8:15 every morning bounced out of bed at 6!) for a 3 mile
run with a friend. Who knew so many
people were up and out at that time in the morning in Hoboken?!? It was a tough run and my legs
felt like they were filled with lead – I am sure the few drinks I had the night
before coupled with the 1am bedtime (why I must watch Friends re-runs every night, I will never know) did not help
matters. Part of my training will be
learning to get to bed early and leaving happy hour once the hour is up! I am definitely going to switch all my runs
from lunchtime to the morning; I am amazed at the amount of energy I have and
it feels so good to have that one thing out of the way.
Finally, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has
donated thus far. I am so grateful to
have such caring and generous people in my life – your support means the world
to me (below is the link to my Team in
Training page).
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/nyc12/kheckn
Heading to happy hour to celebrate my first successful training run - thank God for a day of rest tomorrow!
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