November 1 is here and that also means that very soon around this first weekend in November, the NYC marathon is run. A year ago today I was preparing for the start of the NYC Marathon. Last year I made a last-minute decision to head down to NYC for Marathon Friday and visit the Pavilion and see the finish line. This was a good decision because I got a better lay of the land and the subway system.
On this exact day last year, I was on the train once again to check in to my hotel, go to the expo and have dinner with my friend Linda Ambard. It was the day before the race and I wanted to make sure I knew where I was going, what time I had to be there, and where my family would be able to see me.
A year ago today, I was getting butterflies because the NYC marathon is an entirely new set of logistics for me! A year ago, I was trained. I had fought a bit with my training schedule but was able to manage a safe increase in mileage to be able to fit in a 20-mile run prior to the marathon taper.
Knowing my family was going to be there to cheer me on and see me in three places along the race course meant the world to me. And our friend Lyla’s dad was also coming to cheer me on. That also meant the world to me. Bill also knew how to get around so that was very helpful to my family as well!
What Am I Preparing for This Year?
Right now I am training for the 2019 Dopey Challenge. My 5th consecutive, and possibly my last. I can say I am running, but I can’t say that I am training. I should be training, but I have had more life and work/life juggles to manage this year. And with it being such a critical year that I succeed with my business, I had to let some of my training days slip a bit. I am still at a point where I can recover from that lack of diligence and get back to a firm schedule. But I have to also consistently ramp up my mileage to at least get in a 20-mile run.
Where Was I then?
This time last year I was full of nerves and anxiety. But the race was a good focal point for me to set my eyes on a goal. I had always wanted to run the NYC marathon. I still haven’t written about my experience yet, but I will. It was a very important achievement for me. It began with my diagnosis of kidney vasculitis.
I was unhappy a year ago. I felt like I wasn’t working where I needed to be. I wasn’t living my purpose. I was working to please people but I wasn’t happy with what I was trying to make work. I was in a field of work that just wasn’t the right work for me.
Where Am I Now?
I am in a place of determination, curiosity, and fervor with my head down, and soaking in as much as I can learn through my eyes, my ears, and by trial and error. I am making great friends and have rekindled relationships with old friends.
I am so grateful for the help I have received from my dear friend Claudia. She has been in the business for a very long time and I have known her for several years. She has taught me some valuable lessons and exposed me to great opportunities. I will always be grateful for our friendship.
I am also extremely grateful to my family who is helping support my decision to try to be on my own and work as a self-employed blogger and consultant. We made many sacrifices when I lost my job. But I am working so hard to make my dream a reality. They have been patient when there are nights that I work late because I am figuring something out, or because I am on a conference call.
I appreciate them but also need to remember that they are more important than work. Sometimes I am so deep in learning something new that time gets away from me and I realized that I didn’t get to have family time with them. And that’s when I feel extremely guilty. I hope they understand and learn the work ethic from me. But I also need to show them a good example of work-life balance. I’m working on it. It’s a critical time for me to make a good name for myself and deliver to my clients.
I’m Moving Forward and Not Looking Backwards
Even though my running/training needs some work, I have been getting out for a run, but I’m not getting enough long runs. When I did my 7-mile-long run I felt amazing. I need to get another long run in as soon as I can. I also noticed that when I stopped work to get my run done, I felt less guilty about making time for myself. So it just needs to fit back into my life again as it did before. I need to stop and take time out for myself and my family.