I've been running with a group of women most Sunday mornings for the last few years. Early on we felt like we needed a name for this group, and we came to call ourselves "Women on the Run." We've had great fun over the years, running the streets of our little town--during the glorious days of spring, summer, fall, as well as persisting through the dark, frigid days of our harsh northern winter. We've run lots of races together too--nearby 5ks, 10ks, and half marathons. Its been a blast.
Then I got this idea last fall as the 2006 NYC Marathon was approaching...
I've wanted to run the NYC Marathon ever since I heard about it. However the dilemma is that in order for me to run the race with a friend (which is how I would want to do it) we both must be lucky and win the lottery. There are other ways to get guaranteed entry--run a fast qualifying time (not going to happen for me), raise money for a charity (I don't like to mix my charity and my running), OR ----join the New York Road Runners for 2007 and 2008, and run at least 9 of their "qualifying" races in 2007, resulting in guaranteed entry for the 2008 Marathon. (This last plan would have the added fun of traveling to NYC, enjoying the city and running races in Central Park over and over again.)
Problem: My friends and I live about 400 miles from New York City, where all of the races are held (except one which is in Washington DC, even further). We would have to travel there 9 times in one year--a big commitment of time, money and effort. I was afraid to even bring the idea up given how outrageous it seemed at the time, but I needed to find at least ONE other person who would agree to do this with me, so I had to bare my soul and spit it out. On November 5, 2006 (the date of the 2006 NYC Marathon no less) during our usual Sunday morning run, I described my idea to one running partner, Mary. She was interested! I couldn't believe it. That gave me the courage to email everyone else. Within 30 minutes of my email, my friend Alka responded:
"I have taken the leap and registered for NYRR. Let the adventure begin."
What a woman that Alka is. (At that point I hadn't even signed up myself...so I promptly did.) Now we were two.
The momentum grew. Mary, Shirley, and Nancy joined by the end of 2006. Now we were five. We began checking out the NYRR website so that we could plan our 2007 race schedule. I couldn't believe how much interest and enthusiasm there was for this wild plan. What a way to start the new year! By the end of January, we had 4 more women join in: Mel, Kathy, Lauren, and Brooke. Now we were nine. Unbelievable.
Our adventures are well underway at this point. In future posts, I'll describe the adventures we have already had, as well as adventures to come. I'm hoping that the other 8 women who have joined me in this scheme will respond with their thoughts, stories, perspectives.
Then I got this idea last fall as the 2006 NYC Marathon was approaching...
I've wanted to run the NYC Marathon ever since I heard about it. However the dilemma is that in order for me to run the race with a friend (which is how I would want to do it) we both must be lucky and win the lottery. There are other ways to get guaranteed entry--run a fast qualifying time (not going to happen for me), raise money for a charity (I don't like to mix my charity and my running), OR ----join the New York Road Runners for 2007 and 2008, and run at least 9 of their "qualifying" races in 2007, resulting in guaranteed entry for the 2008 Marathon. (This last plan would have the added fun of traveling to NYC, enjoying the city and running races in Central Park over and over again.)
Problem: My friends and I live about 400 miles from New York City, where all of the races are held (except one which is in Washington DC, even further). We would have to travel there 9 times in one year--a big commitment of time, money and effort. I was afraid to even bring the idea up given how outrageous it seemed at the time, but I needed to find at least ONE other person who would agree to do this with me, so I had to bare my soul and spit it out. On November 5, 2006 (the date of the 2006 NYC Marathon no less) during our usual Sunday morning run, I described my idea to one running partner, Mary. She was interested! I couldn't believe it. That gave me the courage to email everyone else. Within 30 minutes of my email, my friend Alka responded:
"I have taken the leap and registered for NYRR. Let the adventure begin."
What a woman that Alka is. (At that point I hadn't even signed up myself...so I promptly did.) Now we were two.
The momentum grew. Mary, Shirley, and Nancy joined by the end of 2006. Now we were five. We began checking out the NYRR website so that we could plan our 2007 race schedule. I couldn't believe how much interest and enthusiasm there was for this wild plan. What a way to start the new year! By the end of January, we had 4 more women join in: Mel, Kathy, Lauren, and Brooke. Now we were nine. Unbelievable.
Our adventures are well underway at this point. In future posts, I'll describe the adventures we have already had, as well as adventures to come. I'm hoping that the other 8 women who have joined me in this scheme will respond with their thoughts, stories, perspectives.
1 comment:
You women are awesome. All of NYC is rooting for you.
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