A RACE LIKE NO OTHER

Today's blog is in honor of all of those who are refreshing their email, frantically all day, in hopes of getting picked in the TCS New York City Marathon.

I remember this day so well 2 years ago.  Many of you know the story, but to give a quick recap:

In November of 2014 I turned 49 and set out to have my BEST YEAR YET.  My thought was, the best way to cap off this last year in my 40's would be to run the NYC Marathon on Nov. 1, 2015, 8 days before I turned 50.  I knew I wasn't fast enough to qualify, so I paid my $11 and entered the "lottery"....me and about 100,000 others.  My chances were slim as they only draw about 18% of the lottery entries for a chance to pay for and then run the NYC Marathon.

So it's March 3rd, 2015 and I was on my way back from Philadelphia where I was on a business trip.  When I got to my connection in Chicago, I missed my plane by about a minute...the gate door was closed and even though I could still see the plane, with the jet way still attached, there was no opening the door and letting me on.  So I told myself, "let's go eat."  While eating, I kept checking my email...texting with a buddy who was in the same boat as me....waiting...wishing....and THEN...BOOM, there it was...I.WAS.IN!
I threw my fists in the air and let out a "YES!" and everyone in this airport restaurant looked at me.  As I realized this, I said, "I just got into the NYC Marathon!"  To which many "congratulations" came my way.

First call....the Cheerleader.  You see, she has always walked out this BEST YEAR YET journey with me.  She was the one who gave me the above book, A RACE LIKE NO OTHER by Liz Robbins a few months before, for Christmas.  I devoured the book and it only gave me more determination to run this race.

So here we are, 2 years later and on this day, there will be many who will be able to check this one off their BUCKET LIST.....and others who will be disappointed.  My advice, look to run for a charity that has guaranteed bibs for this race.  Even though I got in via the lottery, I still raised money and ran for ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL as a St. Jude Hero.  

So Steve, if you are reading this, I hope and pray that you get in this time.  If not, pick a charity and I'll be your first donor!

To all who dream of running THE RACE LIKE NO OTHER....good luck today, but even if you don't get in, here's to your BEST YEAR YET!!