Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Dash to the Finish Line and other stuff

Ahhhh.

I can't believe that it's been so long since my last post.

So much to tell you, so little time.

First of all - lets discuss the NYC marathon - another year another stab through the heart that I wasn't running it. I know that 26.2 is a helluva a lot of training that I would curse and struggle severely with. I know that finding the time to run 3 - 5 hour long runs would be near impossible, I know that with all my cramping issues and everything else that I shouldn't be dreaming of this race but every time that race takes off, I am eating my heart out.

Dash to the Finish packet pick up at NYC marathon expo - one of these years I'll be running that marathon! 

This year I had a few friends running it and I couldn't be prouder that each one of them victoriously crossed the finish lines.

I did get to take a little nibble of the Big Apple by running the Dash to The Finish Line 5K the day before the big marathon. That was one great little race. It's a warm up to the marathon and you start by the United Nations, and then run by Grand Central, the NY library, up past Radio City and through Central Park - ending at the actual marathon finish line. I ran it this year with Linda and it was fantastic. Perfect running weather, perfect companionship and a fun course. I loved every second of it and it was over far too quickly.

Me and Linda after the 5K

I barely had time to watch the NYC marathon because my flight to go back to Kentucky was early that afternoon. We are back and in production on LogHeads an original series my company is producing for DIY Network.  My partner and I have worked long and hard to get established and bring a show to air so we are proud and happy to be here. (Although it is very hard being on location and away from my hubby and son.)

While here I have gotten some running in, in anticipation of running the Festival of Lights Half Marathon in Brooklyn on Nov. 24 I hadn't signed up early because I didn't know if I would be working in KY or back home. Well, I determined that I was going to be home for it the other day, ran another 8 mile long run (as I continue to train here).

lots of fricken hills here! One of about 100 hills I ran this past Sunday
So I come back from the hilliest run ever and all ready to register for the race only to find that it is sold out. Waaaaaaaaaah! Waaaaaaaaaah! I am so bummed about this. There are no alternatives for me to run in NJ or NY that day and a bunch of my friends are running it. I totally missed the boat. So gross. I am so disappointed. It was an affordable race (probably part of the reason why it sold out) and I never anticipated that it would be a problem for me to get in. I should've just signed up early and rolled the dice on losing the entry fee.  Hind sight is 20/20.  It sucks so bad. In the back of my mind I was running this race all fall so I've been mentally and physically training for it. Blech. I even reached out to the race director to beg but no dice. I'm out. No festival of lights for me.

ran thru an empty golf course during that run - even hilly there 

So that's about it for me. Have you ever missed the boat on a race you meant to sign up for but it was too late?

XO
Jen




8 comments:

Frickin' Fabulous at 40 said...

I can't believe it sold out, too! Figure out your schedule (if at all possible) and pick one of their other runs and I'll try my damndest to do it too!! Their runs are really the most affordable and in great spots, like the CP 10 miler!

Anonymous said...

I volunteered at mile 16 of the marathon....it was amazing!!

What do you use to get your little run maps on your pictures? that is awesome!

Unknown said...

Thanks Linda - I'm not sure what my race future holds yet but I'll keep you posted!

Candy, i use the Nike + running App on my iPhone and you can put that on your pictures thru that app. It's pretty cool. They just added that on the most recent update.

Maybe I'll try to volunteer next year - must be super cool.

Lynne said...

If you trained - run... Be a bandit, hang with your friends. Just bring your own fuel/water and you can do it guilt free... Who knows, you could show up and find someone who doesn't want to race / is sick /injured and you could get their number!? Don't let your training go to waste!

Anonymous said...

I've been in a similar boat at the London Marathon. I missed it the first year due to injury and second year I signed up too late. As the old saying goes though third time lucky worked a charm :)

Mandy

Unknown said...

Sign up for NY Marathon 2014 is on 12/2/13 :)Good luck!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Oh god, I was in a similar situation when it sold out. I'm just planning for next year now :)

J