Today is March 8th. Today is the day of the New York City Marathon lottery drawing which determines entry into the 2016 New York City Marathon should you have applied for the chance at entry via the lottery.
I applied. In January. When the entry period opened.
Uh huh.
I always said I would never run a marathon quickly followed by I know I should never say never because one day I may wake up and decide it’s time to run the 26.2 distance.
I considered applying last year but my heart didn’t feel enough invested just in case I actually got accepted. It’s sort of weird, I know, that I have yet to run the marathon distance given how much I actually run on a regular basis but why run something if you don’t really want to do so?
I watch so many runners train and run marathons all of the time but I was never one to care what everyone else was doing. I have always liked to do my own thing and training for a marathon, in my opinion, really needs to come from within. You really need to want to do it in order to keep up the strength and determination for the training and then the race.
This year, a few things changed my standpoint on running the marathon:
1. I am not getting any younger. If I ever want to run the marathon, now is the time to do so (notice I say, the marathon – when you live in New York, the New York City Marathon is the marathon, as if other marathons don’t exist).
2. My dad really wants me to run the marathon at least once. Although he has not pressured me, every time I finish a long run, he reminds me that I only have x amount of miles more to complete the 26.2 distance. If he can run it three times, certainly I can — Read his thoughts on his first New York City Marathon here.
3. I found out a few weeks prior to the lottery entry period that I won free coaching for a race from a giveaway on Laura’s blog and took it as a sign.
SO.
The reality is, only less than 20% of entrants via lottery method will get accepted. I have been waited patiently but it has felt similar to waiting to take a pregnancy test.
Am I ? Am I not? Do I want to be? Can I do it? Am I ready for this?
I have put it out of my mind for the most part but still knew the date would approach when I would find out my fate.
Will I be disappointed if I don’t get in? Maybe for about three minutes. After that, I will focus instead on saving the enormous marathon entry fee followed by the immediate start of training for my fourth consecutive Long Island Half Marathon which will take place in about 8 weeks from now, on May 1st.
So that’s the plan. If I get in, Laura and I will be working together on training for the marathon! If I don’t get in, this week begins my training with Laura for the Long Island Half Marathon.
Stay tuned 🙂
[bctt tweet=”I have been waiting for today #NCYM #marathon #running #fitfluential “]
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Who already knows they are running the New York City Marathon in November?
Who applied via lottery this year?!
Favorite race distance?
The Cookie ChRUNicles 
So exciting! I love the idea of sort of letting fate decide something like this. And if you are really disappointed if you don’t get in, maybe that is a sign that you definitely should do a marathon! Can’t wait to hear what happens!
EEK I know that feeling! Fingers crossed for you, try not to think about it until you know for sure – I had 2 no’s and a yes – a big exciting day!
Fingers crossed! But like you said if you don’t, it’s not the end of the world and you have other races you are working towards. How cool you won a free running coach.
Good luck! Keeping my fingers crossed for you 🙂
There’s that easygoing, level-headed, positive way of seeing a situation that you always have that makes you just so special. Whether your in or your not running is one of your passions period. Enjoy the warm weather!!!
Oh my gosh I am so excited for you either way! It feels way longer than six weeks and I keep checking my email to see if you’ve heard. The suspense! I’m so proud of you for entering the lottery and whatever happens will be great! You are SO ready for a marathon if you get in. But seriously it’s like the longest pregnancy test wait ever lol
Exciting! Good luck!! Waiting for the lottery results is the most nerve-wrecking thing ever. I didn’t get into the Chicago Marathon last year and was totally heartbroken. After a few days, I pulled myself back together … Signed up for the Lake Tahoe Marathon … And had the best race ever. The Universe works out 🙂
I’m raising money for Team PAWS this year so have guaranteed entry into Chicago … Excited to raise money for a good cause AND not have to deal with anxiety about getting in or not!
running for a charity is such a nice thing – my cousins did that for NYCM
Good luck! Just know that whatever is meant to happen will happen!
so true! thanks!
SO EXCITED. Best, best, best of luck!
Fingers crossed for you! I felt like I wanted to run a marathon once in my life and for some reason by age 25. This year I got in via 9+1 (never racing that much again, as I did in 2015 to get in, as I’m not as into racing, just running) and like you I feel nervous, excited, and like it’s a once in a lifetime experience I want to have to run “the marathon” because you’re right, as new Yorkers this is it for us!
yeah that 9 +1 is no joke! But it’s all a great experience
Good luck! Fingers crossed! I’m running my first marathon in May but if I don’t like it, I have no problem not ever doing one again hahaha
Fingers crossed for you!!!
Oh, I hope you get in!!!!! That would be incredible. GOOD LUCK!
aw thanks! I didn’t get in but there’s always next year!
So exciting, I hope you get in! The longest I’ve ever done is the half, but I think my favorite race distance is the 10 miler. Still challenging, but doesn’t require as much time to train!
I like a 10 mile race too! I ran one once and may do it again this may.
Good luck to you in the lottery!!! I also love that your dad is encouraging. My dad is a former athlete but he still can’t get on board with the distance running thing. He just shakes his head, ha.
thank you 🙂 I didn’t get in but there’s always next year!
ahh good luck! Hope you get it- If not, you’re welcome to have my entry to it haha!
I didn’t get in but if you are running it, best of luck to you! You will love it.
Oh my gosh, this is huge! I can already see based on your comment responses you didn’t get in THIS year, but there’s always next….or say the Cleveland marathon. That’s a pretty big deal here, and I would totally cheer you on. 🙂
I’m stoked for you now that the decision has been made to do one.