I have thought long and hard about the offer to run the Boston Marathon. The company I work for owns John Hancock, the major sponsor of the marathon. I have been offered a place there in April to run, without qualifying.
I have decided I would be crazy not to take the spot.
This decision has not been a light one!!
I am learning more about what comes with that spot and it is turning out to be a kick-ass work opportunity. Kids, this is corporate America...its a game and to get ahead, you have to play the game. Like it or don't but them are the rules. I have a family and a mortgage. I need to feed that family and pay that mortgage! I have my dream job with lots of flexibility so I can be there for my kids when I need to. Then, imagine, being asked to join some of the movers and shakers in the company you work for, get to know them, travel to Boston with them and hang with them for a weekend (not to mention all of the very talented and fast runners that will be there!) and then experience the marathon from the inside.
Dreams really can come true.
I have the utmost respect for those who have qualified for this race. I want to be one of you some day. I got my package in the courier last week and it is an "Invitational Entry". It very clearly states, "You have NOT qualified for this race. You are participating on an invitational basis only." I promise I will not be in anyone's way!!
If anything, this whole experience has brought to life a dragon in my belly to put down the best effort I can in April. I have started my training and so far, the past two weeks, I have done more than has been asked, I have fought for every interval. I have done extra intervals. I have been pushing Coach Justin...GIVE ME MORE!!! I will not let this opportunity go to waste.
Someone asked me if this was a spot to Kona or Clearwater, would I take it. I said of course not. So what's the difference? I had to think long and hard about my answer. I have no hope of qualifying for those events. Ever. They are not even in my realm of possibilities. But I think that with some hard work and a good run, someday, I could definitely qualify for the Boston Marathon....this offer has come just about a year before I wanted to put my theory to the test!! Right now, I am about 10 pounds and 10 seconds per km away. I have already made the promise to myself that I will do this race a second time and it will be after I have ran a qualifying time. And yes, this means I have to run 3 marathons....eek!
Our little family has had a pretty rough year. The markets tanked, my income with them, my husband's business burned down, my sister has had a year from hell with being in the hospital with her MS to her spouse leaving her. And being a total prick through the whole process. My Mom's BFF has battled breast cancer and is very quickly losing her fight. We had a little cry for her last night. We have had quite the year finding our feet. It hurts to see those you love go through rough times. I have chosen to try to keep this blog on a positive, training note but it really has been a tough go. They say it is unlucky to turn a calendar...I had mine turned to January 2010 weeks ago...looking forward to a new start, a new year.
This opportunity has come at a perfect time. Just at the beginning of December after the fire, I asked The Universe, "Please give me something to look forward to. I am really struggling here." And then a little glimmer of something positive, something to look forward to and work for.
See you in Boston!!
Health Club? I don't know what the number is for...I should send a letter there and see what happens!!
This is MY treadmill. Seriously, I glare at anyone that walks by looking at me like I should get off...go away and wait your turn! There are no signs wrt a time limit so we ran together for an hour.