Tuesday, November 5, 2013

I ran 26.2 miles for that infamous orange poncho

Truth: I never wanted to run a marathon. 

It wasn't on my list of things that sounded like a good time and honestly, even to this day, it still sounds like a horrible idea. 

I was perfectly content running the hell out of some half marathons for the rest of my life. And if more 10ks gave me medals for running, I'd love that even more. . . 

The original race I started running for was The Walt Disneyworld half marathon. Thanks to spectating Fred at the Boston Marathon, I was inspired. Not enough to put marathon on my list of things to do, but to run through some Disney parks and take pictures with characters? Sure! Fred runs the Goofy Challenge (now Dopey) every year, so I'd have the best support if I actually went through with it. Disney and I go way back, so why not experience it in a fun new way?

Still my favorite Disney medal ever.

Then my roommate found out about Team in Training and convinced me it was an awesome plan. I used The NYC Half as a warm up for it (and a few others in between). Getting to run through Times Square and Main Street USA in the first year of running are pretty awesome notches in my running belt, if I do say so myself. 

First Half Marathon ever.

As I started training for these races, I also started racking up on the NYRR races. I knew I needed to run 9 in one year (which if you live in the city is pretty easy) and volunteer at one in order to qualify for THE New York Marathon. Originally, it wasn't a goal to accomplish the requirements, it just kind of happened. . .

Then the 2011 lottery happened and Fred didn't get in to The NYC marathon for the 3rd time- that meant he was guaranteed entry for 2012 (FYI: NYRR has since done away with that policy EDIT: Unless you're grandfathered in). Since I had managed to qualify for automatic entry as well: Wouldn't it be cool to run the race with (and by with, I mean hours behind!) the person who first got you into running? 


So it was settled. 

and then the city unsettled it. But that's ok, because I ran anyway and I had another one planned in January

Which brings us up to speed. 

Spoiler: 
I GOT THE INFAMOUS ORANGE PONCHO!
First time- ever- I was looking forward to something more than the medal.

I ran the official 2013 New York City marathon 
and finished with a 45 minute PR!

Yes. You heard that right. 

(That's what you get when you run your first official marathon in a heatwave.)

What I learned: Sometimes you just have to trust that there is a better plan. There is no experience after this. This is THE marathon to run. Don't get me wrong: While Disney was an amazing experience and I wouldn't change it for anything- nothing can hold a candle to running through the greatest city in the world. 

But then again, I'm pretty bias ;) 

I cannot wait to spectate the hell out of this race next year! 

Don't worry, there will be a play by play recap. Stay Tuned!

23 comments:

  1. Terribly proud of you. Congrats! I feel like I lived it vicariously through you, miles away watching your progress online. Can't wait to read the full recap.

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    1. Thank you! Can't wait to cheer you on for this race!

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    2. I second this. It was so fun to keep track of your race virtually and I couldn't be happier for you. So proud of what you've accomplished, Abby!

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    3. Thanks, Katherine! Can't wait to cheer you on for your first!

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  2. 45 minutes! WOW!! Nice work. Loved NYC this year (the wind was a bit tough) and love my poncho, too! But why spectate next year? RUN! :)

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    1. The wind was CRAZY!

      No more marathons for me. I'm not a fan of the distance. I said I'd do it for the experience and that's all I needed. But I'm really excited to cheer everyone else on!

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  3. Seriously, that pic of you in the poncho is the BEST EVER. I'm so happy for you! And you've earned 2 NYCM medals since you were bad ass and ran last year's unofficially, which is beyond impressive. Way to go, Abby! You know I'm dying for your play by play since I've already bombarded you with questions! Can't wait to read it.

    Great job! You rock!

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    1. No worries, I'm happy to share my insights if it makes someone else's nerves calm. haha! Can't wait to see you next year for it!

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  4. Nice job! Very impressive! I'm glad you didn't ask me to keep my promise about cheering you on if you ever ran a full marathon. I wouldn't have been able to do so because of work in SW VA.

    S.A.M.

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    1. Thank you! No worries but I appreciate the thought. Hope all is well!

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  5. WOW!!!!! A 45 minute PR...that is AMAZING!!! Congrats, I want to hear the details :)

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    1. Thank you! I'm still trying to sort the whole day out, it was a long one! (Congrats on your PR as well!!)

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  6. Woohoooooo!!! I'm so excited, proud, impressed by you!! I've loved following along on your journey and can't wait for the play by play! Great job!

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  7. ssssssooooooooooooooooo extremely proud of you. I am sooo glad I was there every step of the way and got to watch you cross the finish line. Suprisingly I had a lot of fun!

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    1. You're such a rockstar, Meg! Thanks for being so amazing. It was a lot of fun!! xox

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  8. Congrats on the PR! That's HUGE! (Not being 80 degrees out totally helps!)

    And I totally didn't know NYRR doesn't do the 4 year lottery thing any more!?!? I was planning on getting in for 2015 that way! That really sucks, that means the only way I can get in is actually getting in through the lottery or a charity team?? Totally not happy about that. (I'm never going to do enough races for the 9+1)

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    1. Ah! I just sent you an email, hopefully you get it.

      So sorry about the confusion- if you're grandfathered in, you should be fine!

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    2. I totally didn't get the e-mail?! Maybe it ended up in my spam, I'll double check. Thanks for clarifying though!

      I may look into doing a charity team next year anyways since I have a bunch of friends running...we'll see!

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  9. Great post! I love hearing about things that motivate us. Like for my half marathons? The whole motivation was the stupid, super cheap quality backpack that they gave to the half marathon Princess runners in 2010. A backpack that fell apart the same week I finally got it in 2011!

    Congratulations on the poncho!!

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    1. I remember that story! It's the little things in life, right?

      Thanks! Now that I have it, I have no idea what I'm going to do with it. haha!

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