Well we did it!   Sister and I set out to run the NYC marathon on Sunday amongst 47,000 runners and we both finished (Sarah-4:13, Ruth 4:03).  It wasn’t my best time and while I was bummed about that initially it was hard to be upset after completing a dream.  A highlight for me in a quest to run in the NYC marathon, that started 5 years ago.  I told myself I would run a different marathon every year until I ended with NY and it truly was one of the most memorable days of my life.  Getting up early and making our way to the start village in Staten Island, surrounded by thousands of runners of all sizes, ages, abilities, and from all over the world, I couldn’t help but get choked up as I looked around.  As we made our way to the start, New York, New York began to play and we were off, over the Verrazano Bridge, for the first few steps of what would be a grand tour of one of the best cities in the world.

The energy that filled every mile of the race course was infectious and at any moment if I felt like giving up or was fatiguing I simply looked up at the faces that were cheering all around me.  I was prepared for what I thought were going to be a few hills here and there but I have to admit I had NO IDEA NYC was such an incline, definitely the most challenging course for me that I have run, but also the most memorable.  Thank you to everyone for all of your support and notes leading up to, on the day of and after the race, they have meant the world to me!  And to my family and friends for being on the sidelines, seeing you in the crowd truly kept me going.  Now I need to figure out what my next challenge will be as I think NYC is where my marathon shoes will retire.

Filed under: Out and About, Running

For those of you that know me and follow me on facebook and twitter know that when I am not working I am usually running.  I wrote this a few years ago as I was training for the Outerbanks marathon which are all the reasons why I used to run.

There are many reasons why I run. I love the freedom of the open road. I love the clarity and silence I find in myself by the end of a long run. I love exploring new places and discovering beauty in unexpected spots. I love it because I can push myself as hard as possible, drag my feet on days I’m tired, or just run without a thought about my pace. On bad days, running is always there for me. On lonely days, running is a good friend. On beautiful, sunny days, I can’t imagine a better way to enjoy the afternoon.  Even in the middle of winter, the brisk air fills me with life.

On Saturday while I was running my 14 miles, on one of the most gorgeous Fall days you could get, I found myself wondering why I was doing this.  For the first time in 5 years I can’t remember why I love to run.  It has become something I have to do rather than something that I want to do.  With every stride I feel aches and pains of over training more than the clarity I used to get from being on the open road.  Remembering why I run is something that has become a top priority for me, with just 26 days until sister and I run the NYC marathon (my dream event years before I could even run 5 miles) I am hoping to refocus, recharge, and gear up for a day I have waited for since I watched my first NYC marathon almost 8 years ago.

This year has just flown by and as we wrap up another amazing wedding season, I am excited to slow down a bit and find time in enjoying the things that I love the most. Happy Monday Everyone!

Filed under: Coffee Talk Monday, Running