i was awake at 4:30 this morning--why, I don't know--thinking about things. (how vague can I be?) one of those 'things' was the marathon and my upcoming training. I had dinner with my brother a few nights ago when he was in the city on business (which is pretty amusing to me, considering that my brother is younger than I am and has an expense account while I am a struggling graduate student/aspiring social worker!). anyway, so B and I had dinner and I was telling him about the training and the race. He was a little surprised that I'm doing it, but I think he's excited for me. Leave it to B to point out the irony in the situation:
B:"So, where does the race go? Around central park or something?"
M: "It goes through all five boroughs."
B: (agape) "M, you are crazy! I couldn't even walk 26.2 miles without complaining. I think it's so funny how, growing up, my activity level was up here (motions with hands in the sky) and yours was down here (motions towards the floor) and now we're like this (switches hand position)."
He's right--it is pretty ironic when I think back to my couch- potato- anti-gym class days and B's tenure as a 3-season athlete. Now I'm running because I want to. Last year after the GRBA 5k, Mom and Dad were like, "Who are you and what have you done with our daughter?!" I started running while I was abroad a few years ago, so very few people saw me when I could barely last 20 minutes. Now they're all surprised that I can finish a half-marathon solidly. I'm pretty proud of that, if I do say so myself! Time for the next challenge. :) November 5, here I come!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
temporary site for online donations!
the snazzy TFK website is not up yet, but in the meantime, if you're so inclined, you can donate here:
https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-
don't forget to enter my bib number (2451) on the form!
thanks so much!
https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-
don't forget to enter my bib number (2451) on the form!
thanks so much!
Monday, June 26, 2006
welcome!
So I've decided to go for it...I'll be running the NYC marathon in November with Team for Kids, a group dedicated to raising money for fitness programs for kids in underserved areas. I'm so excited--I can barely think of anything else! Training officially starts on July 8, and I will be meeting teammates in Central Park for my first group run! Check out this blog for updates on my training leading up to the big day on November 5!
In the meantime, here are some thoughts from Coach Adam, one of TFK's coaches. I found them incredibly moving. They make me think that this marathon will be much more than a physical experience!
Your comments below also give me another opportunity to introduce the concept of patience. Patience will be your greatest virtue and for many,the toughest trait to develop. We will repeat this throughout your training.The alumni will be your greatest resource in helping you to understand this.A successful marathon is not achieved by rushing. The phrase "Life is likea marathon" exists for a reason. Those who try to either take short cuts or become too curious too quickly by sprinting ahead are the ones that will undoubtedly be left behind. Practice patience throughout your training, not only in your physical training but in all aspects of your life. For thosethat may find this challenging, pause when presented with the opportunity to act. Practice listening over talking. Practice observing over acting. As it is with the rest of your training, a critical factor in adopting a desired behavior is your ability to practice it consistently. Find opportunities throughout your daily life to practice. Patience must be made a part of your fabric by the time you arrive on Staten Island. If all you do is pay it lip service, it will betray you when surrounded by thousands of other enthusiastic runners. Throughout your marathoning training, you will be faced with a series ofchoices. Each choice you make will have an associated consequence.Patience, innovation and curiosity are not mutually exclusive and it is only through experience that one learns how to balance the three. This is why experience is so incredibly valuable and why so many first-time marathoners attempting this on their own go back again to get it right the second, third or fourth time. As a Team for Kids marathoner you will have the support and experience of your coaches and staff to help guide you through this maze most effectively so that your first experience will be amazing.
In the meantime, here are some thoughts from Coach Adam, one of TFK's coaches. I found them incredibly moving. They make me think that this marathon will be much more than a physical experience!
Your comments below also give me another opportunity to introduce the concept of patience. Patience will be your greatest virtue and for many,the toughest trait to develop. We will repeat this throughout your training.The alumni will be your greatest resource in helping you to understand this.A successful marathon is not achieved by rushing. The phrase "Life is likea marathon" exists for a reason. Those who try to either take short cuts or become too curious too quickly by sprinting ahead are the ones that will undoubtedly be left behind. Practice patience throughout your training, not only in your physical training but in all aspects of your life. For thosethat may find this challenging, pause when presented with the opportunity to act. Practice listening over talking. Practice observing over acting. As it is with the rest of your training, a critical factor in adopting a desired behavior is your ability to practice it consistently. Find opportunities throughout your daily life to practice. Patience must be made a part of your fabric by the time you arrive on Staten Island. If all you do is pay it lip service, it will betray you when surrounded by thousands of other enthusiastic runners. Throughout your marathoning training, you will be faced with a series ofchoices. Each choice you make will have an associated consequence.Patience, innovation and curiosity are not mutually exclusive and it is only through experience that one learns how to balance the three. This is why experience is so incredibly valuable and why so many first-time marathoners attempting this on their own go back again to get it right the second, third or fourth time. As a Team for Kids marathoner you will have the support and experience of your coaches and staff to help guide you through this maze most effectively so that your first experience will be amazing.