Running the NYC Marathon for Team CA
When my boss told me that Community Access had five NYC Marathon slots it was looking to fill, running a marathon was something I had never seriously thought about before. Yet about five minutes later I volunteered to run!
Back then – last year – I was still a CA intern… and, yes, I may have been a little overeager. I was already a runner, though, and my gut told me it was an opportunity too good to miss. As far as causes go, I had a good one. I knew that every dollar raised in support of CA would really make a difference in a fellow New Yorker’s life.
With my running background, I also thought the marathon would be a piece of cake.Not so. Long runs in training seemed to take all day, and I was often exhausted. I thought about it too much. And then I thought about it more. I thought about how I was thinking about it too much.
But you know what? In the end I loved it. For so many reasons… Here are just a few:
Tapering
I was in excellent shape, and when the big day came I was ready. Like it was my job.
Being Part of a Team
Sharing running tips and links. A fundraising bake sale at work. A pasta dinner with my fellow team members. I really felt part of something special.
Social Media and Support
CA got behind me every step of the way and made me famous on Facebook and Twitter.
Making Friends
Other marathon runners were super friendly and passionate – and, better yet, they came from all over the world.
Frank Sinatra
I’ll never forget the thousands of people at the start-line, and New York, New York playing.
Cheering Crowds
So MANY people along the route! Homemade messages of support. Getting high-fives from little kids. Bands playing… just such a special atmosphere, mile after mile.
“Track a Runner” App On My Phone
I don’t mean to sound anti-climactic, but this app was probably the best thing of all. Checking my phone, post-marathon, I got so many texts from people who had been ‘with’ me all along the route. Including from my parents and siblings, scattered around the US and Canada, who had been following and texting me throughout. It’s a memory I will always cherish.
Basically… Feeling Good
You know how endorphins kick in after exercise, and make you feel great? Well, whenever I think about my first NYC marathon, it’s like those endorphins are still kicking in.
