For years I stood on Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn watching the NYC marathon in tears overwhelmed by the runners and their accomplishment. Their commitment, strength, and capability was so impressive and I desperately wanted to be part of that group. I would not have called myself a runner in those years and the dream was one without a basis in reality. It was not so different than a dream of being a rock star – it just seemed so cool!
Twenty years ago I was running 5k with work friends, pushing myself through without a plan. I had no idea how to train having never heard of a “Couch to 5k plan”. It was just a fun social outing. It was not until my cancer treatments that I learned how to set a “training” goal. I know this sounds crazy but there is a strong correlation between a chemotherapy schedule and a half marathon schedule. You have a set number of weeks and tasks to do each week. You put them up on a calendar and cross them off as you go. You don’t look too far ahead to avoid feeling overwhelmed but you can always look behind and see how far you have come. As you near the end you see the transition in your body and your mind. You build a physical and mental resilience that will help you persevere during the hardest moments. This was my foundation upon which I piled a few years of running half marathons before I took the plunge for a full marathon.
I have been training these past few months for my second full marathon in NYC. As I enter the taper period before the race I have become sad. It is only as I entered October and saw the final weeks of my training plan that I realized how much I have been enjoying this journey. My first priority when I made the decision to run again was to correct the mistakes that I had made the first time. They are not unique, in fact I have read many articles highlighting each and every one – but I needed to learn them myself. I took on each task as part of my training. Strength training in the mornings, running hills, incorporating speed-work and properly fueling during long runs. Each task was not necessarily “fun” but as the weeks passed they each became part of the process and taught me more about myself and my capabilities. We all have an incredible reservoir of inner strength. You need to find the task that helps you tap into it. Once you do, that strength will be there to support you in every part of your life. It is creating the mental fortitude to push through whether you have low energy or physical pain from blisters and chafing. You will pull from your core to cover the final distance.
I know that this is not just about November 3 and running the 26.2 miles. It is the over 70 running sessions, 17 cross training sessions and the pounds of waffles, rice and chocolate milk that I enjoyed along the way!!