So I'm running the ING marathon...

so... in case you haven't heard, I'm running in the New York Marathon. Yes, Marathon as in 42k. Or 26.2 miles. Or damn far. The race is November 2nd and despite being pretty intimidated by the entire endeavor, I'm also almost irrationally excited. Irrational because I looked up the actual course map the other day and got some perspective on the distance... like that it starts on Staten island, runs ALLLLL the way up through Brooklyn (like 13 miles worth), crosses up into Queens, over into Manhattan, up along the upper east side, up into the Bronx, back over to Manhattan, through Harlem, into Central Park, and then all through the park until ending in like the 70's. I'm actually tired just envisioning it!

Anyway, I've decided to run for several reasons...
 • it's for a good cause. I'm running for African Leadership Foundation, the US foundation that supports African Leadership Academy (ALA) the company down in South Africa that I've been working with for the past 2 months. Basically I have to raise $3000 for them for the opportunity of running for more than 4 hours....wait what? No really, it's a good thing, I swear. And in case you're interested in learning more about the organization check out www.africanleadershipacademy.org. And in case you'd like to actually donate... check out http://www.africanleadershipfoundation.org/marathonprofile_maria.asp.

 • it's something i've been wanting to do for a long time. Really. Running a marathon is something I've been talking about doing for at least the past 5 years. It's such a ridiculous test of physical and mental endurance that it begs to be done. And I know that I'll learn a lot about myself during those long hours running...

 • it's a great excuse to come to new york! in case you haven't been paying attention whatsoever, I've been gone a lot this year. In January I was sent on a case transfer to Amsterdam, where I spent a great 5 months before moving straight to Johannesburg to work for 6 months for African Leadership Academy. So basically I am getting homesick, and want to see friends and family. And New York is where those are at!

 • it's right by my 25th birthday! yeah, it isn't 30 or anything, but 25 is still rather momentous. And what a great way to celebrate it-- accomplish this monumentous task, then a few days later get to celebrate with family and friends in the US of A.

 • i like being able to say that i'm 'in training' kind of makes me feel like a super hero or olympic athlete or someone super fit and important.

 • if oprah can do it, so can i and oprah's still kind of fat. so i know that I have to be able to do it, and want to prove that to myself.

so these reasons are my motivation when I don't feel like getting out of bed in the morning to run around the neighborhood. or when I've already been running for an hour and the prospect of continuing to plod my feet against the pavement seems impossible or at least unpleasant. or when I'm nervous about running the actual race. which happens a lot still, so any words of support or encouragement, I will always happily solicit.

More as the training progresses...

---

---