- Random thought of the week picked from my journal to Coach Erin : Working Hard vs Being Lucky? Working hard wins every time!
When I first started running and then realized I could run long distances, I was so pleased to be able to run 10 Fulls. That was my goal and these races have brought me to some of wonderful places: PEI, Fredericton, Boston, Boston, Bluenose, Saint John, PEI, Ottawa, Chicago and Mount Desert Island. That last to trip to Acadia National Park was 3.5 years ago. So there it was 10 and done. I turned my focus to the Half and other distances. I was totally OK with this despite never getting to fulfill my first big wish as a new runner dreaming big about the New York City Marathon.
My cousin Hélène (who lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan) was one of my first running role models and she joked in my first year of running that we should meet in NYC for a marathon. Running in the big apple seemed like a fun idea, but I had no idea as a newbie how challenging it is to make it into that race. Who knew that your chances to get in could be as low as 9% in some years! I am one of those people who have next to no luck in these kinds of things. My number never gets picked, even when the odds are 50-50;) But you can never win unless you buy the ticket or put your name in. So it became an annual tradition for me to put my name in the lotto. Even when I was 10 and done, I figured the odds were in my favour to never get picked 😂. I had 6 unsuccessful attempts at the lotto and applied for my 7th:
So, here I am getting ready to prep for Full #11 and NO I DID NOT GET IN THROUGH THE LOTTO! I did it to myself and qualified for it using a half marathon instead. Typical! Redmond’s rules state clearly: things come more easily when you work your behind off:). A little half marathon I did the previous March at Old Orchard Beach, ended up being a relatively fast enough golden day and was accepted by the good folks at the NYC organization. Hélène still runs, but not long distance, so she’ll be there in spirit. That part of the dream is a bit modified but here I come NYC!
So….never say never, I guess. I am running another marathon in 4 months. I did this to myself. I didn’t leave it to luck and still leapt. I know there will be highs and lows, severe self questioning and lots of adventures (what else can happen on those long runs?) Successful maintenance training cycle is complete and now it’s time to focus on getting myself back into marathon mode. Bring it on….