I’ve been sitting on this news for an entire day, trying to wrap my head around what has happened and trying to figure out a way to put into words the magnitude…..
Quite frankly, I’m still at a complete loss and I’ll probably just blabber on but we’re going to give this a shot.
Back in 2014, got it into my head to try to run all of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. The Abbott World Marathon Majors are the 6 largest and most elite marathons in the world. They consist of the Tokyo Marathon, B.A.A. Boston Marathon, Virgin Money London Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the TCS New York City Marathon. This was a lofty goal!
Bear in mind, I ran my first marathon in the fall of 2013, so this really was HUGE!!!
The time came to register for the lottery for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and I tossed my name in the hat. I told MFH (My Favorite Husband) I had done this with the following words, “But what are the odds?”
You can imagine my shock when I got it! I was amazed!!! I can still remember sitting at my laptop crying! I was so excited and terrified and excited and a zillion emotions all at once!!!
MFH thought I was losing it. Hahaha!!!
That race ended up being more of a challenge than simply covering the 26.2 miles. I had sustained a concussion a month away from race day. Looking back at it now, I probably shouldn’t have run. I should have deferred my entry but…well, you know runners. We’ll run no matter what! So, I laced up my shoes on race day and I ran! Had the time of my life!!! Holy cow that was a great day!
Shortly after that, the time approached for the TCS New York City Marathon lottery. I put my name in the hat for the second year in a row. The same year I had entered Chicago, I had also tried for NYC but my name hadn’t been drawn. I think that’s why they say it’s “the luck of the draw?”
The day for the NYC drawing came and went without my name being drawn BUT I had found success in the drawing for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON! This time I had waited until about a week for the Berlin drawing before I mentioned it to MFH. Again I said those words, “But what are the odds?” My name had been drawn!
I can vividly remember getting out of bed the day of the drawing and booting up my laptop. In my inbox was an email in German? I was thinking, “What!?!”
Something made me keep scrolling until I got to the English translation and I went bonkers! I was soooo excited! MFH hollered at me from his office, wanting to know what I was carrying on about. I replied, “Sweetie, you need to update your passport!” That was the most excellent thing EVER!!!
We had celebrated our 30th Wedding Anniversary in May 2015 but were saving our BIG Anniversary celebration for while we were in Germany for the Marathon. What a wonderful time we had!
The race itself was fabulous! I think this has been my favorite marathon to date. I did have some ITBS trouble rear its ugly head at mile 8 so my finish time was dreadful but I had a ball!!!
As I passed through the Brandenburg Gate, heading towards the finish line, I was stopped by a camera crew and they began to interview me. Finally, the nice man with the microphone asked me if I was celebrating anything special while in Germany. Ah! They had found out about my Anniversary. That nice man then said, “As you successfully complete the Berlin Marathon, this song’s for you.” At that moment, the loudspeakers began to blast the Wedding March until I crossed the finish line! How totally and completely awesome is that!?!
So where am I going with all of this? I’ve listed two of the Abbott World Marathon Majors races I’ve been fortunate to run so far. I’ll be running Berlin again in September 2016. I need to redeem myself on that course. Wonderful event but my finishing time was dreadful. I can and will do better!
My name is in the hat for the 3rd year in a row for the TCS New York City Marathon. Fingers crossed for that drawing. I tried for the Virgin Money London Marathon but was unsuccessful. I’ll just keep on trying! Tokyo I haven’t tried to get into that one yet and I’d like to try to qualify for Boston. Try.
A little while back, I saw a post on Twitter. They were taking applications for Abbott World Marathon Majors Ambassadors. Wow! Now, that would be totally and completely excellent! Seeing as running all of these events is at the tippy top of my bucket list, I HAD to apply. HAD. TO.
So, I did!
Yesterday, I received an email that I had been selected as one of the Ambassadors for this prestigious organization!
Pinch me. I’m dreaming!!!
ME!?!
Holy Cow!!!
Of all the fabulous runners in the entire world…I am amazed! Super excited!!! Very, very humbled.
I’m still working on wrapping my head around all of this. You know me for the Type-A person that I am and you know I will do my very best to represent!
Wish me luck on this new endeavor!
Big. Deal. Stuff.
I am blessed.
#IRun4Aiden
#AbbottWMM