The Endless Autumn!

This blog was originally supposed to be a record of my first marathon.  Well, I did it! Finished the NYC Marathon in 5:20, my first 26.2 mile race. In preparing for the marathon, I put in many miles, met a lot of great people (who taught me  how to prepare, train for and run a marathon), and got fitter in unexpected ways. I also learned how hard it is to keep a decent blog and to write regularly.  Overall, it was a very satisfying experience and it helped me achieve a longstanding goal.

Notice, I did not name the blog “Autumn Marathons (pl.).”   My intention was to do the 26.2 mile distance once, then go back to my running; testing myself with road, trail and cross country races at distances like 5 miles, 10k, or the occasional half-marathon. While very satisfied at the achievement of finishing the long race, I did not count on posting a time that left me feeling as though there was something extra left in the tank if only I knew how to find it.

And so: I notice that only two more NYRR races will give me the nine needed for the 9+1 NYC marathon qualification standard for 2012.  The first of these qualifiers, a five-miler in Central Park, takes place tomorrow.  No reason to miss that opportunity!  Alternatively, it might make more sense to try for a better marathon time at a smaller, lower-key event (with less pre-dawn, pre-race waiting around and smaller crowds).  Or…I could try both. The Autumn Marathon continues!