I am currently sitting on my couch all cozy listening to the rain with the song “New York State of Mind” on repeat. I might be getting a little teary too.
I am so excited for the NYCM to be here, and I am so excited to be in New York on Friday. The trip could not come soon enough.
Today, my blog friend Doug sent me a list of questions and asked me to answer them for a blog project he is working on. The questions were about NYCM and my thoughts, feelings and goals towards the race.
As I sat there reading those questions and thinking about my answers, I reflected on how thankful I am to be running this race. This race has been nearly 2 years in the making, since I first received my acceptance January 2012. I have dreamt about this race, visualized this race, and planned this race. And on Sunday, the race will finally be here.
New York is not the only thing I have been thinking about though. I have been thinking about Boston too. A lot.
Boston will forever be a part of me. The experiences in Boston will always stay with me, and the memories of what happened will always live in the back (and sometimes front) of my mind. Boston changed me, but it changed me for the better.
The experiences there showed me what is important in life. And it showed me how precious life is.
I am not just lucky that I got into the New York City Marathon, I am lucky because I am able to run the New York City Marathon. I have my health. I have my strength. And I have my support system.
To me, this race on Sunday will be a celebration of what our communities (running, cities, nation, etc) have overcome this last year. We have stood strong together through hurricanes. We have been brave for each other through horrible attacks on our nation. We have stuck together through it all, and we will continue to do so.
I am not scared anymore to run on Sunday. I am excited. And I am ready.
On Sunday, I will run for the victims of Sandy that are still recovering from the aftermath of the storm.
On Sunday, I will run for those in Boston that continue to be affected – mentally and physically. Especially those that cannot run anymore.
And on Sunday, I will run for me. I will run to prove to myself what my body is capable of. I will run to see the pay out of the hard training. And hopefully, I will run to a big fat PR on the clock.
xo,
Ali