Training for New York Marathon

Well, I made it into New York. I have never been much of a marathon traveler, because there are so many particulars you need to be "right on" for the marathon day. Okay, was that English??? What I mean is this.....you have to watch what you eat, you can't walk too much the day before, you have to hydrate well, you can't consume too much alcohol AND you need a good night's sleep the night before (if that is even possible!)

So, back to New York. I have been a runner since 1991. I ran track and cross country in high school, but really wasn't very good or serious. I just ran because one of my best friend's ran. So, I really became a runner in 1991 when a friend of mine suggested running 3 miles on the Hike and Bike trail in Austin. I was hooked!...for a very odd reason...it was difficult for me to keep up with my friend and finish 3 miles. I loved the challenge! I had been teaching fitness classes at the time, but never felt the workout I felt from running.

So, back to New York. I had been thinking of running a marathon in the 90's, but thought it was crazy. Until, I met some other girls through Austin Fit (which I actually coached) and we trained for the Motorola Austin Marathon. These crazy girls actually had a goal time and wanted to qualify for the Boston Marathon... (so the whole New York reason comes to light!). So, I was interested in "qualifying". Well, we did qualify and I am still amazed. I thought I had qualified and ran the only marathon that you needed to qualify for. However, I found out a little over a year ago that you can qualify for New York, instead of doing the lottery!!! I have been a runner for 16 years and I never knew this!!

So, back (again) to New York. I met a friend, that lives in my neighborhood, that I began running with. She told me her goal was to qualify for New York AND (get this) that I should try, too!!! Fast forward, 6 months later, at the 3M Half marathon in Austin. We start the race together and I decide (only in my head) that I would try to qualify for the New York marathon, too. I decided if I made it I HAD to go! Well, we both qualified!!! Yeah, we were so excited!

So, now I am stuck in the doldrums of a HOT TEXAS summer training for the New York marathon. Sometimes, I really wonder if I am crazy!!! I am still running, I ran 4.33 miles today. But, I do need to get my weekly mileage up.

I wish there was some way to post your runs on your blog. Does anyone know how to do this? I am still researching this whole blogging thing.