Marathon Envy

My marathon envy is in full force... yesterday, I went to the Javits Center to pick up my bib for the Dash to the Finish Line 5K and couldn't help but cry as I walked around the convention center. I hate that I'm not running this year, and seeing everyone so excited about the race just made my heart hurt a little bit.

But I was also crying because marathon day is such an amazing day in NYC-- I've only ever experienced it from the spectator side, but it's such an incredible day when the entire city comes together. Millions of people cheer for strangers (by name) for several hours on end, and it's a literal celebration in the streets. I think I've cried every single year, simultaneously overwhelmed by the determination and strength of the runners and the city itself. Seriously, the race just makes you love NYC.

This year promises to be even more emotional-- besides my own personal battles with running this year, Sandy and the Boston Marathon bombings still weigh heavy on my heart. I know that on Sunday I'll probably shed a few tears out of sadness AND happiness-- because marathon Sunday is the best day in NYC, and on Monday, I start training for NYC 2014 ;)

Two Weeks Of Long Runs

Ooops... I blame my 5th college reunion for my tardiness. So two weeks, let's recap, shall we?

We left off on October 13th, and the week that followed was just crazy. I got pulled onto a project at work, and made a last minute trip to Boston on Thursday. My flight back to NYC got cancelled Thursday night, which was a huge problem since I was scheduled to fly to my College Homecoming Friday morning. And let me tell you... the folks at US Airways couldn't be any less concerned. They couldn't understand the reason why I had two separate reservations (business trip + personal trip), and why I couldn't fly from Boston to NYC on Friday morning... land in NYC at 7:15 in LGA, go home and pack for the weekend, and make it to JFK for a 10:00 flight. The customer service rep told me she had never been to NYC, but she thought that the transition was doable. Um, yeah. So we ended up driving back from Boston late Thursday night so I could make my flight on Friday.

Thank goodness it was worth it! :)

Can we go back, please?

My long run for the week got pushed back until I recovered... which ended up being on Tuesday. It was a tough run, but I moved up to 3 miles! Average pace was just under 9 min/mile, which felt challenging!

And now let's fast-forward through a crazy work week to this week's long run! 

4 MILES.  The first 1.5 miles were rough... and a reminder to eat breakfast a bit earlier. But I find the first mile or two of a run always the hardest, which has been challenging getting back to running since you don't have much time for the run to feel good when it's only 2.5 miles.

So finally, a run that was long enough to hate the first 1.5 miles and love the last 2.5. Getting back into running shape is TOUGH. Thank goodness I have a 'cut back' week this week... the Dash to the Finish 5K!

YES.

Finally!  A positive update from NYRR. Can you guess which option I'm choosing? ;)

Dear Marathon Runners:

Thank you all for your patience during the last seven weeks as we have worked through issues related to the cancellation of the 2012 ING New York City Marathon. Hurricane Sandy was a devastating event for our city, and our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their families as they work to rebuild their homes and lives.

We are sorry that it has taken us longer to resolve these issues than we had originally hoped. We have been working to offer the best possible solutions in order to meet the needs of the many different groups associated with the Marathon.

Our goal was to offer a range of options to each of you so that you can choose which option works best for you.

MARATHON RUNNERS All 2012 Marathoners may choose one of the following three options: • Option #1 - Refund. While NYRR has always had a no-refund policy for the Marathon, given these extraordinary circumstances, we are offering runners who were entered in the 2012 Marathon, and were unable to run due to the cancellation¹, the opportunity to obtain a full refund of their 2012 Marathon entry fee (excluding the $11 processing fee); OR • Option #2 – Guaranteed entry to the ING New York City Marathon for 2013, 2014, or 2015. Entrants in the 2012 Marathon who choose this option will be granted guaranteed entry to the Marathon for the year they choose. Runners will be required to pay all processing and entry fees at the time of application (in the given year), with fees maintained at the same rate as those paid in 2012; OR • Option #3 – Guaranteed entry to the NYC Half 2013. Entrants in the 2012 Marathon who choose this option will be granted guaranteed entry to the NYC Half 2013, to be run on March 17, 2013. Runners will be required to pay all processing and entry fees at the time of application. Availability will be limited. ¹ Applies to runners entered in the 2012 Marathon who had not cancelled prior to October 24, 2012. 2013, here we come!