This past weekend I took my son Caleb on a belated college graduation trip...2 years belated. It never seemed as if our schedules lined up: I had just started a new job in March of 2013 and he started shortly after graduation. Don't really know where 2014 went...but now we are here, 2015 in New York City!
Since we are 8 weeks into the 18 week training schedule, the long run miles are getting bigger and from my past 2 full marathons, I know how important it is to not miss the long mile trainings. So I said to Caleb that I had 13.1 to run while in NYC and want to see if he would run with me? He didn't hesitate (I'm sure during and after he was questioning his logic) and on Saturday, off we went. We started down 42nd Street West toward the Hudson River. We ran on a nice path up to 68th and then over on 70th to Central Park. After making a loop and a bit more around CP, we headed down 5th Ave until we reached the 13.1 mark! The picture above is from Central Park and the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain that was placed there in Central Park in 1864.
There were many people out early on Saturday morning (we started our run at 7:30) whether we were running the sidewalks of the city or in Central Park. One thing that I took note of was ALL the different types of people we came across: young, seasoned, tall, short, men, women, thin, not so thin, etc. All shades of color and many different languages could be heard. It made me think (I had this thought another time I was in NYC); this must be what Heaven is like. Galatians 3:28 says it best, "There is neither Jew nor Greek; slave nor free......for you are all one in Christ Jesus!" Whether we are from New York or Nebraska; the United States or Sweden.....wherever we are, whoever we are, we are all "...precious in His sight!"
Smile at everyone...give a kind word too!
Keep on running!
12 weeks. 84 days. As of today, I am 1/3 the way done with my marathon training with 12 weeks to go. Funny how these past 6 weeks of training just flew by. If that is any indication, I'll be prepping for my follow-up blog to the TCS NYC Marathon!
As I reflect back over this "1st Period" (a little hockey reference there..go Wings!), it's been a good/productive 6 weeks. I have covered 100 miles (missed one 4 mile run while my wife was in the hospital during week 4) and feel good about the training. I had a chance to train in the cool temps of Michigan in Week 1 and the heat and humidity of my beloved Nebraska since then!
The miles in these next 6 weeks section will really start to build up and although it is still hot and humid, I'm ready for them. Each day it get closer to Nov. 1st, the more and more I think about the race; what will it be like? What is my strategy; run for a PR or run like a tourist and take it all in? I see/read on some of the NYC Marathon pages I follow that there are many like me, who this is their first NYC and are looking for information and although I have so many questions, I want this to be an experience like nothing else I have experienced so that this truly will be a "Race Like No Other."
However I choose to run, one this is certain, in 84 days, I'll be lining up with 50,000 others to take on the streets of New York through the 5 Boroughs.
Keep your focus as you pursue your goals/dreams. As Ben Franklin said, "Well done is better than well said." Don't just talk about it...DO something about it!
Keep running!
UPDATE: Running as a St. Jude Hero for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, for this my 2nd time, is a great joy for me. To date, many have helped to contribute to this great cause through my efforts as a St. Jude Hero. I have a goal to raise $3500 and currently we sit at $2410...that is 68% of the goal raised! Thank you to all who have made this possible. If 22 people can give $50, we'll surpass the goal. If $50 is too much, ANY amount is great and goes to a fantastic cause. To help support my efforts, go to http://heroes.stjude.org/timpeterson Thank you!
WOW!! What a CRAZY past 2 weeks. When one sets out to have their "Best Year Yet," you might not stop the think about, ahead of time, disruptors to your plan. In Week's 4 & 5 of my training, I had one such "disruptor" and another just pre-planned activity that was in the mix.
My plan has me rest on Mondays and Fridays and then run Tues-Wed-Thurs-Sat with Sunday being a cross training day. Week 4 started out as a usual week. Tuesday, July 21st, I did my training run after work. That same day, my wife wasn't feeling well, so she came home from work that day and headed straight to bed. After my run I checked on her and still no sign of relief. At 3:30 on Wednesday morning, she woke me up to take her to the hospital. Acute appendicitis was the diagnosis.....appendectomy was the plan! It was a rough week for her but she turned the corner and is now doing great. I missed my Wednesday run, but finished out the week.
Week 5 training went as planned and finished off the running with a good paced 10 miler on Saturday Aug. 1st. This weekend was also my wife's parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. So it was a busy, yet great way to cap off the past couple of weeks.
So, what does all this have to do with being my BEST YEAR YET and training for the NYC Marathon? Plenty! Whether you are training for a marathon, doing a "plank" challenge or whatever, we are all going to be faced with "disruptors." It's our response during these times that will determine the desired outcome we have to our plans/goals. Control what you can control....remember, "My response is MY responsibility!"
So as you set out on your own BEST YEAR YET journey, remember, you are an overcomer and you can overcome!
Keep running to your BEST YEAR YET!!
UPDATE:
With the upcoming TCS NYC Marathon, I am running for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as a St. Jude Hero. My fundraising goal is $3,500 and to date, I have 68% of that goal reached, $2,410 with 90 days until the race. Please consider supporting my efforts and St. Jude's by going to http://heroes.stjude.org/timpeterson. Any amount is greatly appreciated.
