A Higher Goal Awaits

Sometimes life hands you more than you think you can handle. Sometimes we overestimate our own abilities and strengths. But, sometimes, a goal that seems unobtainable really just needs to be smashed. That was the case with me and the NYC Marathon. In 2013 I set a goal for myself of running New York in under 4 hours. I’d run a sub 4 hour marathon once before in Paris in 2012. But, the NY course was tougher than I anticipated and my training was overconfident. I finished the race in 4 hours and 4 minutes – not bad, but I didn’t reach my goal, so, I couldn’t really check that one off in the success column, could I?

The 2014 Race was different. Right from the start I knew I was going to have to work harder if I wanted to succeed. Also, I didn’t get a race number in the lottery, so I would have to add raising money for a charity to my training plans. I chose to raise money for LifeBeats, Music fights AIDS. I trained hard with a trail run marathon in August that really whipped my ass – I finished that one in 4 hrs and 30 minutes. Not moving in the right direction, I thought. But, as October came to a close, my long runs were feeling a lot easier and the half marathon distance, almost effortless. I was light years away from where I was in the fall of 2013.

Race day arrived and it was cold and windy. I stepped off the Staten Island Ferry into gusts of bitter cold wind. This was not going to be fun, I thought. But, as we lined up in the starting corral the sun came out and a ray of warm NYC sun kissed me on the cheek. I knew everything was going to be fine. By mile 3 I’d discarded all my warming layers and was running in a tank top. I felt strong throughout the first half of the race and was still going strong as the course turned onto 5th avenue in Manhattan – just 5 miles to go and the wind was now at my back, gently pushing me toward the finish. The crowds along 5th were amazing. I felt like a rock star. As I turned into Central Park, Beethoven’s 5th Symphony came over my headphones. I finished the NYC Marathon to Ludwig Van – definitely an iconic moment I will remember for the rest of my life. As I crossed the finish line the clock said 3:56:51. I’d achieved my goal of a sub 4 hour marathon. It took 2 years and countless hours and miles of training. But, I did it!

A higher goal awaits – time to finish my second book.