For as far back as I can remember, I have been interested in the marathon and those that participate in the great race. I found myself wondering what motivated someone to dedicate all that time and effort to train and prepare for a 26.2 mile run. And not just physically, but also the mental and emotional preparation. A few weeks ago, Jess and I watched the NYC marathon pass through her neighborhood in Brooklyn and then at the finish in Central Park. Watching all those people making their way down the last half mile, seeing the looks on their faces as they caught the first glimpse of the finish line, and the overwhelming joy as they finished, the only thought going through my mind was that “if they could do this then so could I.”

Of course, I was under no illusion as to the work that would have to go into this endeavor. It’s not like I could go out and run a marathon then and there. Although I had been running for almost a year, I was only hovering around the 4 mile mark for most of my runs and stepping up to a longer distance was going to take time and preparation. But at that moment I made a promise to myself, just like all the other goals I had set myself in the past, that I would do whatever it took to complete a marathon.

As it stands right now, my only option for the 2012 NYC marathon is the lottery which promises very low odds. I have joined New York Road Runners and will work towards my 9+1 participation for the 2013 marathon, but in the meantime I am looking for other options in the Northeast for late in 2012.

The purpose of this blog is to track my progress, share my experiences, and keep a diary of the highs and lows over the course of the coming year.