How a Lark Becomes a Dream

My friend Holly (the only person I have ever run a race with…the Paris Half Marathon in 2011) emailed me several weeks ago.  She chews up marathons and spits them out on a regular basis…she is always in marathon shape, has raised tons’o money for breast cancer, is a running fanatic and an inspiration to me.

She is running the NYC marathon this November, having a guaranteed spot since her application has been denied for three consecutive years.

Any interest in signing up for the lottery drawing and running with me, she asked?

No problem!  I won’t get in, I thought.  I’ve read the horror stories of how difficult it is to get a spot in that race.  I paid my $11 nonrefundable fee and moved on.

You know where this is going.

I’m in.

I’m in.

Fing A, I’m in!

Out of 77,087 entries, I lucked out along with 9,169 other runners and nabbed a spot.  That’s a selection rate of 11.9%, folks.

I made it.

Start spreading’ the news.  I’m wiggin’ today.

I got the email around 5:00, just as I was heading out into a cold and windy late afternoon run.  I think I had a delayed reaction to the email. When I hear bad news, I get the ramifications instantly, like somebody dumped a bucket of cold water right on my head.  But good news?  Freaky lucky surprising news like this?  It slowly overtook me during that run like butter spreading on toast.  I ran a few minutes just repeating it in my head (“I made it.”)  Then I sped up as the excitement and adrenaline hit me and my imagination took hold of my heart.  By the end of the run, I was grinning, practically dancing as I pushed through that wind and ignored that spitting rain.

I think HH was surprised by the news and my high-pitched squeals of excitement when he came in the door.  I’ve never heard you mention this before, he pointed out.  True.  It was a lark.  I’ve never had the NY marathon in my sights.

But I do now.  I am thrilled and grateful.  

I want to be a part of it.

I don’t have any reasons, I’ve left them all behind…

These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you…

Hot damn, I’m in!

Now I just have to get through my three half marathons in five weeks and then start thinking about training…you know, the easy part (ha!)  I won’t worry about that little tidbit right now.

Anyone else in for the dream?  I would love to hear it if you are…and wish me luck, peeps!

What I’m running to:  Well, now I will be adding anything to do with New York, of course, but this week I have been running to Burn by Ellie Goulding…

‘Cause we got the fire

And we’re burning one hell of a something!

 

• Marathon
• NYC Marathon!
• Running