I'm not sure how many of you will understand how much of a big deal this was - me running the NYC Half Marathon - but let me tell you, from a girl who used to not even be able to run a mile (seriously) to finishing 13.1 with no breaks was a pretty big deal. yes, I used to not be able to run at all. I remember in high school my dance coach would make us run a mile before practice, to which I would respond "Coach, if I wanted to run I would have joined to the track team." oh she definitely thought it was funny and laughed - but she still made me run that damn mile.
but slowly through the years I've started to enjoy running more and more. and the only reason I got into it really is because the best friend forced me to do so (I will be forever grateful to her for kicking my ass and making me run). over the years I have done mostly 5Ks and randomly a 10K here and there (a big deal at the time mind you). it wasn't until after cheering Fabulous on in the 2010 ING NYC Marathon that really made me want to run as well. it was an amazing experience to watch 40,000+ people running 26.2 miles through the streets of my city. I followed Fabulous first in Brooklyn, then the UES and then finally on the home stretch at mile 23. it was fun because at each place I got to see some of the people I cheered on at different spots over and over again. I'm not sure if many of you know this, but a lot of runners in the marathon write their names on their jerseys so while they are running people will just shout their name for encouragement. it was really cool when a couple of times I would shout someone's name at mile 23 (which also happened to be a hill) and I literally could see their pace pick up a little.
I really was inspired by this, so I decide to run in the 2011 NYC Half Marathon (baby steps - marathon will be next year). I ran for a charity - The Children's Tumor Foundation: NF Endurance - which honestly help me stay motivated to stick with my training schedule more. and at the same time, I raised money for a great cause and ended up raising $1,000+ more than I actually had to (thanks to my wonderful friends)!
after months of training race day finally arrived. it was cold (it was in March after all) and it was early, but I was still there. I think what got me through most of it was the "runner's high." or it could be due to the fact that the first half was basically my normal run - so I was used to that - and the second half of the run was through the streets of NYC. I cannot explain how amazing it was to do that. I love this city so much, but to see it from that perspective - the roads closed down for you, being able to see things head on instead of always from a sidewalk, having random strangers cheer you on while you are running mile after mile - it's an experience I'll never forget.
can't wait until next year when I do the full marathon and get to experience that in all FIVE boroughs of the city.
but slowly through the years I've started to enjoy running more and more. and the only reason I got into it really is because the best friend forced me to do so (I will be forever grateful to her for kicking my ass and making me run). over the years I have done mostly 5Ks and randomly a 10K here and there (a big deal at the time mind you). it wasn't until after cheering Fabulous on in the 2010 ING NYC Marathon that really made me want to run as well. it was an amazing experience to watch 40,000+ people running 26.2 miles through the streets of my city. I followed Fabulous first in Brooklyn, then the UES and then finally on the home stretch at mile 23. it was fun because at each place I got to see some of the people I cheered on at different spots over and over again. I'm not sure if many of you know this, but a lot of runners in the marathon write their names on their jerseys so while they are running people will just shout their name for encouragement. it was really cool when a couple of times I would shout someone's name at mile 23 (which also happened to be a hill) and I literally could see their pace pick up a little.
(spectator view at mile 23)
I really was inspired by this, so I decide to run in the 2011 NYC Half Marathon (baby steps - marathon will be next year). I ran for a charity - The Children's Tumor Foundation: NF Endurance - which honestly help me stay motivated to stick with my training schedule more. and at the same time, I raised money for a great cause and ended up raising $1,000+ more than I actually had to (thanks to my wonderful friends)!
(the weather I had to train in)
after months of training race day finally arrived. it was cold (it was in March after all) and it was early, but I was still there. I think what got me through most of it was the "runner's high." or it could be due to the fact that the first half was basically my normal run - so I was used to that - and the second half of the run was through the streets of NYC. I cannot explain how amazing it was to do that. I love this city so much, but to see it from that perspective - the roads closed down for you, being able to see things head on instead of always from a sidewalk, having random strangers cheer you on while you are running mile after mile - it's an experience I'll never forget.
(my jersey and number :) )
view while running towards Times Square (please excuse the bad photo, but I was running after all)
can't wait until next year when I do the full marathon and get to experience that in all FIVE boroughs of the city.
the starting line for the race (where I was NOT located)
1 comment:
Congrats on completing the half marathon!!! Can't wait to cheer you on for the full!
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