Help Blogger world. I know I can count on you all to be honest with me.
An opportunity has dropped on my lap and I don't know what to do with it.
Here's the deal:
Who holds a mutual funds license through Manulife Securities?
Me.
Who owns John Hancock Insurance down in the US?
Manulife Financial. (Or what I affectionately call "The Mother Ship")
Who is a major sponsor of the BOSTON MARATHON?
John Hancock.
Who is sponsoring some of their advisors/avid runners and giving a free ride to the BOSTON MARATHON next April?
Manulife Financial.
Who was called today to ask if I would like to take part?
Me.
OMG!!!! What the HELL!!! I don't qualify to run it, I just GO AND RUN IT!!!
Is this bad?
I think I should try to qualify...don't you? There are qualifying times for A REASON! So not every tom, dick and whoever goes to run. The race deserves that respect. Does it not? But would I EVER qualify for this race? Let's be totally honest and realistic...this may be a once in a lifetime chance to run the BOSTON MARATHON!!!! But then how many weekend golfers out there would love to play in the Masters....all of them? And they don't all do it, the game is left for those who QUALIFY and have the TALENT and the DEDICATION and the HARD WORK behind them to be there. I don't think I could face my running buddies or tri-buddies if I just got there based on my day job...but then, when would I ever be able to go? And oddly this whole experience so far has kind of put a fire in my belly to run my ASS OFF and qualify the old fashioned way.
HELP!!!!
13 comments:
Screw what other people think.
Do YOU want to do it? A fire in your belly is a good thing -- something to be celebrated -- don't let *what other people think* inhibit you in any way, shape, or form.
It's a fricking race after all -- it's not like people are ascending the stairway to heaven and only those with pure intentions are welcome.
Do it. And be proud. Do it for your kids. Do it for YOURSELF. :) :) :) :) :) :)
You rock Kelly. If any one of your so called "buddies" give you a hard time:
1. They are not your buddy.
2. They are pretentious, elitist snobs who are probably so slow they are terrified that you can actually train and run faster than them.
3. Send them my way. I WILL set them straight.
I bet you end up qualifying the good old fashioned way anyway just to get there in a way that sits right with you (I am thinking this doesn't sit right with you- the not having to qualify thing). I would say aim to qualify, run your ass off, try your hardest to get there the old fashioned way BUT you got a hellofa plan B. I have NO DOUBT in my mind - you can qualify Kelly. On your own. No free ride. Kelly grit and spit - the old fashioned way:)
Do it. If you really want to go to Boston and do a (THE) marathon, then consult with your coach, and do it.
This can be a stupendous professional opportunity as well, with the potential to meet and greet some of the movers and shakers. Gets your name and face in front of people because you can be certain that they will publicize it. You don't have to hit the podium, all you have to do, is do respectably. No doubt there are many runners that qualified by getting a BQ time, and for whatever reason they have a shite day in Boston. You are not likely to be the last person across the finish line.
So do it. Phone them back, and say yes, then get Coach Justin on side. Strike whatever deals you have to with your family. It occurs to me that if the mother ship is sponsoring you, they ought to be understanding about you arranging your work life to deal with training and family issues.
And besides, there's probably a bunch of people that are getting these corporate "invite". All you need to do is kick THEIR tails, and life is good. Kara can wait till next year.
Think of it this way. You ARE qualifying, by contributing your professional expertise to making money for the mother ship, and they donate a portion of that to the race. Do you think they invite every single runner in the organization? Stand tall. You've earned the invitation. You'll do the race and wear the shirt with pride.
and even if you never qualify (but you will) - would that mean you have no determinationa nr hardwork behind you?? Hell no!! I've seen you throw up in your mouth.
Ummm...my honest opinion (since you asked) If it were me, I would want to to qualify. Then take the free spot. I see it like a championship in any other sport. Entry should be based on earning the spot.
Again, just MY opinion. Ultimately it is your opinion that matters because you are the only one that is going to care at the end of the day! And I personally wouldn't give you a hard time or think less of your achievement of running it (it is the hardest marathon I have ever done).
What a COOL work opportunity though!
OK...what do you think when some celebrity gets into a race because of who they are and not the fact that they are actually qualified to be there???
This is a tough call. Being one of those people that have not yet qualified for Boston I myself cold not accept a freebie. But I would sure be tempted!!
When you tell someone after that you ran Boston and they are impressed do you then follow up the conversation with "Ya but I was there on a sponsorship and had not qualified"!!
There is the reverse line of thought that you have to consider as well. They are obviously going to give that spot away anyways so why not you?? You are just as good as anyone else!!!!
Good luck with the decision Kelly and whatever the result is be proud of the decision you made and to hell with anyone that thinks you made the wrong choice either way, those people will always be there unfortunately!!
Hi Kelly - Terri here. Reading all your blogs this morning :) Here is my feeling and keep in mind this comes from a gal who can't run anymore (if ever at all), hurts in the morning without having done anything, etc. So I am not even in the realm of you athletes so maybe I am way off.....but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity (or maybe not if you train and qualify to run it on your own for another time - that is up to you) but if you do run it and take the opportunity to go I think it would be fine, and I think the athletes racing it would be fine with it too depending on how you represent yourself...what matters here is how you handle it on the front and back end. "Well I am training to be a running spectator so I can attend the Boston Marathon - I was invited thru work, this time I did not qualify for it, but have had the opportunity to go and run along side the athletes who have - lucky me to be able to go see an event like this! "I just got back from running Boston...." implies that you qualified for it and ran it that way which is a lie. "I just had the most amazing opportunity to go and run along side the Boston qualifiers in their marathon and to see all of those athletes who trained so hard and qualified for something they desired so badly.....it was an unreal event and I was fortunate enough to attend it as a running spectator....understand I did not make it there because I qualified, but I did have the opportunity through work to attend the event..." I think there is a difference - you are attending the event, and running along side the qualifying athletes. So you are a super lucky spectator who gets to run and watch it unfold that way rather than on the sidelines. Would it be any different if you were given tickets thru work to be on the field, on their bench, and in the dressing room, and in the showers :) with the USA football team that won their way to the most important last game to win the national championship - just as long as you were clear you were a spectator and not actually playing in their game - honest in your representation - it would seem ok to me.
That's hard. Not that u should care about what others would say, but u don't want thing being said behind u'r back. To go and qualify at a race, u can be safe in u'r heart.
This is a good question! Keith brings up a good point about business-ops. If it's something that is good for your job, you would meet some 'special' people, I would do it...especially if you work in a place that's not filled with marathon runners, there's a reason why they asked you!
Putting that aside, if it was just a random op to get in, I would do it if your chance of ever qualifying is very very slim (but it doesn't sound like that's the case)! If you are close, gosh....I would want to qualify.
But bottom line, I would be hesitant to pass it up if it means a good thing for work. Yeah, I'm a business person ;-)
Let us know what you think! How far are you from qualifying?
-Melissa
oops, I meant to say "let us know what you do!". :-)
I say do it. Since you are connected to the sponsers I don't see a problem. Plus, they asked you so really you can't refuse.
To be fair, when people ask you if you've ever run Boston, I would say yes, as a corporate entry or something. Unless of course you end up qualifying. :)
I think it's really up to you. Will you be able to live with not qualifying and doing it? This doesn't affect anyone else. As some others have said, how slim are your chances really?? You may never get to do it so cheap and with support like that. Why not go now take the spot, then work your ass off to run the qualifying time after the fact. :)
Who cares what others think...it's Boston!
I say run it now! You have been given a great opportunity ,,,would be silly not to capitalize on it. It is still a race, you have to get from the start to finish on your own power
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