- Photo of yourself, attached as a jpg
- Note previous marathon experience
- Include a short paragraph detailing your running motivations (why you run, your best and/or worst experiences, anything else of interest, etc.)
- Include a video of yourself: Use either your cell phone or digital camera and state your name and why you want to be a part of this project.
Deadline: Sunday, March 9
Was Heather right? Did this have my name written all over it? Hell yeah! I mean, I run marathons and I like challenges so why not. What would I have to loose? So, with the help of my agents, Heather, Ann and Sabrina and my camera man, Emeka, we put the needed submission requirements together over the weekend.
Here you have it...
The video
So, I'm 31, single, in the best shape of my life and have all thefreedom and time in the world. Not such a bad place to be, right?Ok… well, not all the time in the world but certainly enough freedomto allow myself the opportunity to train and complete enduranceevents.
My journey into the world of endurance sports began in December 2002,when I registered for the April 2003 New Jersey Marathon. I decidedto train for this event with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Teamin Training program and committed to raise at least $2,000 for cancerresearch.
Signing up for this event changed my life.
Since my first marathon in 2003, I have completed 5 marathons,numerous half marathons, sprint and Olympic distance triathlons andone half ironman triathlon. I have met and have been embraced by manyfriends though these experiences - amazing women with whom I've sharedmiles and memories. Most importantly, these experiences have alsoallowed me to grieve the loss of my mom who passed in the spring of1995 after her battle with cancer. I was 18 and suddenly became thefemale care giver to two younger siblings.
When I started running marathons it was never about me. It was aboutmy mom, and about keeping her alive somehow. If I could run more,train harder or raise more money it somehow would bring her back; whenit didn't, I felt defeated. I continued to run marathons, and when Ididn't achieve the time goals that I had set for myself, I was moredisappointed than proud of my accomplishments. I couldn't allowmyself to be happy simply crossing the finish line of anothermarathon. It wasn't until I stopped pressuring myself to attain acertain time goal that I finally found what it was that I was runningfor… myself!
Sure enough, after this realization, my fifth marathon was a charm.Four years into my marathon career, at the 2006 ING NYC Marathon, Ifinally attained my sub-four hour marathon time goal. When I crossedthe finish line, I didn't know whether to cheer or cry. I had finallyachieved something for me! It was honoring my mom that inspired me topursue marathons but it was my determination that mentally, physicallyand emotionally got me across the finish line.\
Through the miles, I've been able to reconcile the loss of a piece ofmy youth due to a sick parent and find the inner child within me.Running makes me feel young, as if I can do absolutely anything. Itjust so happens that I am currently training for my greatest marathonyet… 26.2 miles following a 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike – I'm signed up and training for the 2008 Ford Lake Placid Ironman. I havean angel with me every step of the way cheering as I continue toexperience life and live it the best way I know how... by challengingmyself to do things that others may not consider possible.
Marathon History
- New Jersey Marathon - April 27, 2003, Finish Time 4:27:49
- Marine Corp Marathon - October 26, 2003, Finish Time 4:09:58
- ING NYC Marathon - November 2004, Finish Time 4:23:06
- Chicago Marathon - October 9, 2005, Finish Time 4:07:30
- ING NYC Marathon - November 4, 2006, Finish Time 3:58:45
Head Shots
I'm not sure what the next step is in the process by my info was sent in before midnight last night. If nothing else it was fun putting this together.
Thanks friendies for all your encouragement, support and time. If I do get accepted, I'm sure there will be a time that I want to curse your names for putting me up to this.
