COACHING RUNNERS It’s kind of fun to write that. I think I’ll do it again.
I am going to run the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013.
I know that I qualified back in March at the Rock n’ Roll USA Marathon with a 3:34:46, but if I’m being honest here, the truth is I’m still awe-struck by the fact that I did that. I do not know how many times I have said this sentence: Maybe, when I’m in my 60s or 70s, if I don’t slow down, I can qualify for Boston. It was a pie-in-the-sky thing for me. A dream, yes, but it was sort of almost a dream I laughed at myself for having. It was a dream I didn’t believe in. Something I didn’t realistically even see myself trying to achieve. But a little over a year ago that changed for me. I got curious about the depths of my capabilities. I found courage and I became determined. I broke out of the box I’d been putting myself in and I decided to test my limits. I decided to DREAM and to believe in the beauty of my own dreams. And I decided to work hard for them. And now, here I am, all signed up for this race and just oh-so, ever-so grateful for this opportunity. I will run my heart out on that day.
I WILL.
When I ran my qualifying time in March, I was elated. So happy because I had done this thing that at one point I truly never thought I COULD do. It wasn’t really **about Boston** so much as it was about the dream that Boston represented, and all it took to get there. I knew that my time might not even be fast enough to get me accepted in the race (the registration system works in such a way that people with the faster qualifying times are given entry first). But I told myself not to worry about that. I had done my very best and I had qualified, and if I was meant to run Boston in 2013 then I would. And if I wasn’t, well, then I would still be so proud. And I would be running it 2014. Because my dreams didn’t stop at 3:34 or BQ’ing for the first time. That was truthfully only the beginning. It was a defining moment for me because it showed me that I should never set limits on my dreams or on what I think I’m capable of. I would keep an open heart and I would work hard and I would be smart and dedicated.
And now here I am, a little more than 5 weeks away from my 10th marathon with my sights set on a new personal record and plans for my 11th marathon already lined up. Boston, here I come.
I’m dreaming bigger – and working harder – than ever before. And I’m having the time of my life.
NEVER SAY NEVER.
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| 1st Marathon. Philly 2000. 5:21:20. |
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| 9th Marathon. RnR USA 2012. 3:34:46 |
