Posted in Random Musings
Run Gingerbread Man, Run – New York Marathon Edition
I am not completely sure where I lost all semblance of sanity. It was sometime in the last year. A tiny little thought gave birth to a giant goal. A goal that has taken on a life of its own. It started with the basic thought that I wanted, no needed to get healthy. I couldn’t continue to yo-yo around with my weight. I knew I had it in me to be healthy but I couldn’t seem to make it stick. I would lose a bunch of weight and then start to gain it back. I shed 75 pounds. I never gained it all back but I did start climbing back towards it. I needed to find a way to stay on course.
It was then that I started running again. This time I decided to throw in some of my natural competitiveness and decided to work towards running. In college I ran 5Ks regularly. I made this my first goal. I accomplished it quickly. I then had a friend tell me she was running a half-marathon. I didn’t think this was a run I could ever make. 13.1 miles is a long way. My back is not great. So naturally I said yes and began working my way towards it. No one was more shocked than me when, not only did I finish it, I finished it in under 2 hours.
It was then that I got really crazy and decided to go for a marathon. I gave myself 4 months and signed up for the LA Marathon in March. Again, I shocked myself when I actually ran the damn 26.2 miles. I didn’t run it fast and the last 6 miles were hell but I did it. I knew I was going to do another if for no other reason than I wanted to do it better. Originally, I was going to run the Seattle Marathon in June. Then the Boston Marathon bombing happened and I knew right there I wanted to run the New York Marathon. People have asked me why not Boston. The simple reason is New York is next and I love New York.
I knew I would never qualify on time but I wanted to run this race bad. I was so angry at the Boston bombings. There was just an urge I knew would not be satisfied until I ran this race. Not being able to qualify on time meant I had only one option. Find a charity team that would have me. I began looking through the teams when my eyes settled on the Boston Children’s Hospital and the connection I felt was instant. I knew I wanted to represent them. They were a Boston charity that represented kids in need. It was a perfect fit. I applied immediately and then waited anxiously. After a short interview I was in and I couldn’t be more excited.
I get to run the New York Marathon and I get to help a great charity. I admit I was a little anxious when I signed up. I am responsible for the $3000 minimum I pledged to join the team. Anything I don’t raise I have to cover on my own. Sheri and I talked about it and decided we loved the charity and would just cover any amount I was short. It would be worth it.
So my insanity continues. I will now train over the next few months to run my second marathon. I will have run 6 half-marathons and one full by the time I run New York. I hope to be in the best shape of my life. I will be overjoyed to have raised money for the Boston Children’s Hospital.
My life will continue to go in directions that surprise me.
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If you can spare a few dollars to help the Boston Children’s Hospital (and help me hit my goal) then please click on the link. I will be eternally grateful.
Christopher Daley’s Boston Children’s Hospital New York Marathon pledge page
