Two years ago today was prolly one of the best days of my life. That was when I finished my first Abbott World Marathon Major, which was the 2018 TCS New York Marathon. NYC has always been one of my favorite cities, and it always excites me when I visit New York, but we would usually just take the jitney from Long Island to Manhattan for a day trip or sometimes stay for a couple of nights there. But running the city and crossing NYC’s five boroughs with my own two feet, all 26.2 miles / 42.195kms was a completely different experience – it made me love it even more!
It was one of the best days of my life not just because I got to finish my first World Marathon Major in one of the greatest cities in the world, but mainly because I was able to confirm how much running changed my overall perspective in life and the NY marathon was a confirmation of how running transformed me.
I can’t wait to go back to NYC and visit when the situation permits, and explore it more. Relive the moment, walk the city, take the train, eat around, see the lights again in Broadway and just reminisce the NY Marathon experience all over again.
Fast forward to today, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all filled with anxiety, uncertainty and worry. But looking at the photos and videos I took pre and post-race two years ago, it brought me back to that day, how much running in particular can change one’s perspective in life. It just brought back so much positivity and happiness. I must admit, I have not been able to run religiously prior to the lockdown in March, more so now that it generally is still unsafe to stay out and run around. If my fellow runner friends would check my Garmin – well, it’s no longer updated, my mileage this year is… well, let’s not talk about that. In short, I don’t know how to break out of this running rut!
As I look back at my New York Marathon experience, it inspired me to never outrun my love for running. It also made me realize how that marathon – from the time I dreamt running it, to the several times I tried applying through the lottery, to the challenges we have experienced prior to the actual year where we finally got to run it, just proves that when you put your heart to a goal, strive for it, you will eventually reach your dream. For some, they may think this is exaggerated, but I guess if you run a marathon, you pretty much know what I am talking about. Tonight, as I write this, I realized this does not only apply to training for a marathon or running, per se. It made me realize that if we put our heart to something, work hard to achieve that goal, no matter the challenge, we will eventually get there. Similar to running a marathon, when you decide to do it, train hard for it, and run your race at your own pace, enjoy every second of it and know that if you did your part, you will eventually get to the finish line.
I kid you not, try running and you’ll get what I mean (see my article on My Marathon Story to know how I started running) and if in the future, it would ever cross your mind to run a marathon and NYC is an option, don’t even think twice and go for it. You will have an incredible experience and realize how the power of running can transform you.
It will inspire you, welcome you, move you and it will change you.
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