and so it begins

Yesterday I officially began training for the NYC Marathon.  For some reason I thought my training began in the end May.  In fact, that is what I have been telling everyone.  It felt safe to say that.  Almost as if running the marathon was a distant dream and I actually hadn't really committed to it.  But alas it is not a dream.  In 181 days I will show up at the starting line, bright and early, and trudge off to complete 26.2 miles.  

Leading up to that day in November I will spend a countless number of hours preparing.  Physically, I will get my body into shape,  however, the largest obstacle I will need overcome is my mind.  There will be moments during training when  I know my mind will say "Hey lady, what are you doing?  Stop running already."  There will also be the mantra of "I don't want to do this, I don't want to do this, I don't want to do this" playing on repeat in my head when things get tough.  

I will need to train my mind to push through barriers I thought I couldn't get past.  Small victories will need to be celebrated.  A new mantra will have to be learned.  

Although this is a race to the finish, the journey is long.  What matters most is showing up each day and putting one foot in front of the other.  This is most important on days when I do not want to take a single step.  

I run for those who cannot 
I run for friends I have lost
And for those who are currently fighting
I run to bring hope
I run to support cancer research
And I run with love in my heart
 

Please help me reach my goal of raising $3,000 for the Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital as I run with Fred's Team on November 2nd.