- My participation in this race as a part of TeamUp! With Autism Speaks
- How excited I am that my parents will be in NYC for race weekend
- Selecting some theme/pump up songs and creating a playlist for race weekend (though I won't carry music during that actual race - too much to enjoy going on on the actual course).
- Dedicating each of my miles.
Autism Speaks
As many of you know, I am running this race for more than just myself. For the second time I am running as a part of TeamUp! With Autism Speaks. I didn't need to run with this team to get entry into the race - I got in via lottery - I just so enjoyed running with the team in 2008 (when I also ran with the team despite winning the lottery) that I asked if I could join them again. In 2008, when I first ran the race, my nephew Jack (who turns 7 today!) had recently been diagnosed with Autism. My family had so many questions/concerns and I was introduced to the world of Autism Spectrum Disorders in a way I never imagined. Soon after I ran that race, my nephew Henry (now 4, almost 5 years old) was also diagnosed. As such, Autism has been a part of my family's life for several years now. I am exceptionally close to my sister and nephews - I lived with their family for 8 months prior to law school. I adore them so completely - and wouldn't want them to be anyone other than just the way they are - but I, like everyone else who sees a child struggling with some of the challenges of Autism - know how much more research needs to be done. Running on the team, and fund raising for the cause, feels like something I can do to help. It is especially exciting this year because I have been spending this semester as a legal intern with the Government Relations department at the Autism Speaks officer here in D.C. Running with this team is so meaningful - the people I met doing so last time were incredible and I so enjoyed hearing their stories and sharing their 26.2 mile journey as part of the same team. I am thrilled to be back to do it again.
Barb and Neil
This past summer I came across a great deal on hotel rooms in NYC for marathon weekend. It was too good to pass up, so I booked myself a room. Then I called my mom and she jumped at the chance to spend a long fall weekend in NYC. So she and Neil, my step-dad, are coming to town! This is exciting for many reasons - but mostly because it just makes the weekend feel like more of a full-on vacation. I get family time AND a marathon in my favorite city on earth! My parents have always supported me when I've run Grandma's Marathon in our hometown of Duluth, MN. Last time I ran the NYC Marathon, it was a bit lonely and I missed having that support network. This time, the support network came to me! I am glad I will have someone to collapse on after the race! The best part is - they will be able to join me at the marathon eve, pre-race dinner sponsored by Autism Speaks for all the team members. As Jack and Henry's grandparents, I know they will enjoy being a part of the get-together as much as I will.
Theme Songs!
This is very important. As a former music major - and musicology PhD-pursuer, music is a huge part of everything I do. I create a soundtrack to everything I do in life. Particularly sporting events! I have tried with no luck to embed some video into this blog...but I will share links to what I have chosen and (1) the theme song for Wendy and I, together, as a team, as we get ready to put all of our hard work to the test and (2) the particular song that is pumping me up right now for reasons unknown...I've never had any shame about what charges me up musically.
Theme Song for me and Wendy: How Far We've Come by Matchbox 20.
I loves me the Rob Thomas and, well, the chorus of this song is just about perfect as anyone who has been following this blog since here would have to agree. (Great video)
Personal pump up song: Numb/Encore by JayZ and Linkin Park
Jay Z --> always effective. (Video not the best)
Now, there's a whole playlist filled with songs...but I'll leave it at that.
Mile Dedications
Wendy gave me this idea. When she ran her first marathon she said, off the cuff: Want me to dedicate a mile to you? (She was dedicating one to each of her kids and who knows who else). I liked the idea. Particularly with the particular race plan we have which requires me to really be on the ball - and checking my pace - every single mile. (Race plan info coming soon!) I figure while I am trying to hit that target each mile, it would be nice to think of something other than the fact that I want to reach that particular goal at that particular time. There are so many people who inspire me to be better, to be more, particularly when it comes to me as an athlete. I have decide to select 27 of them (someone's got get me through that 0.2!) and write their name on the back of my pace band to coincide with each mile. I am hesitating as to whether or not to post, and annotate, this list. I definitely wouldn't want anyone to feel left out if I didn't put their name on there...but at the same time, it'd be fun to let those close to me know that I have appreciate their support through my training. We'll see. I am still working on assigning numbers to names in a way that has at least some minimal level of significance.
My NYMarathon App tells me there are 3 days, 19 hours, 17 minutes, and 22 seconds until the race. I'd better get off this computer and start packin'! I head to the big apple on Friday morning.
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