NYC Marathon -- I Did It!

This past weekend I ran in the NYC Marathon and what an experience!! My finish time was 4:08:59, which shattered my Philadelphia time of 4:30:16. Needless to say, I was tickled pink!
For nearly five months I trained for the marathon, running during the week and on Sundays (the coveted "long" run). It was a lot of work and dedication, but it was all well worth it.

In addition to running my fastest marathon, I raised more money for Fred's Team (a charity that supports Memorial Sloan-Kettering in memory of Fred Lebow, the NYC Marathon founder) than I ever thought possible. My goal was $3,500 and the last time I checked I was well over $4,100, with more checks coming in.

The NYC Marathon was a bucket list item for me. It was an experience I won't soon forget. In addition to feeling amazing throughout the entire race, I broke all kinds of PRs (personal records). I ran my fastest 5 miles, 10K and 18 miles, which is hard to believe since the NYC course is so hilly. In my opinion, it's the energy of the crowds that enables you keep going. There were areas of the race where the spectators were cheering so loudly, you couldn't even hear! Nearly all of the runners had their names on their shirts. And there's no better feeling in the world than hearing complete strangers cheer you on.

If you think you can't do a marathon, you can. And if you are considering running one, you'll be hard-pressed to find a race more incredible, scenic and awe-inspiring than NYC. I saw blind runners, runners with prosthetics and even one gentleman with a sign that said "heart transplant recipient." The race puts a lot in perspective and makes you ever so grateful that you can run 26.2 miles.

Have you run the NYC Marathon? I'd love to hear your experience!

NYC Marathon -- Training Update

It's hard to believe that the marathon is just 8 weeks away -- yikes!! I've been doing really well with my training. Last weekend I ran 17 miles and I'll do 20 this coming weekend. And that will be my longest run until marathon time (woohoo!!). I'll be doing my annual 18-mile LBI Run, which I highly recommend for anyone who has done a half marathon. It's a great race if you want to eventually do a marathon -- very fast and very flat. Although the weather at that time of year can be tricky. One year it was 90 degrees and one year it was 70 -- go figure!

In regards to fundraising, I'm at 61% of goal pr $2,165. I need to raise $3,500. I think raising the money is way harder than doing the training! If you'd like to make a donation, please visit www.fredsteam.com and enter my name (Allison Jackson) and ING NYC Marathon. I'm running for Fred's Team, which benefits Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The group was founded by Fred Lebow, who founded the NYC Marathon and courageously battled cancer himself.

For those who make a donation, you can send me the name of someone you'd like to honor who has valiantly fought cancer and I will add their name to my race shirt. I'm running for all of those men, women and children who have battled cancer.

Is there a charity that you support through your fitness endeavors? I'd love to hear about it!

NYC Marathon Training & Fundraising Update

Whew, I'm not sure which is harder -- training for a marathon or fundraising for it!! I'm up to 16 miles, which I have to run tomorrow morning. Last week I did 14. It takes some time and motivation, but it feels great to finish. I've been trying to make sure that I'm adequately hydrated and take some energy gels every hour or so.

In regards to fundraising, I'm at just over $1,500 and I need to get to $3,500 by Nov. 1. No small task. I've sent emails, posted Facebook updates, sent press releases, blog posts -- you name it, I've probably done it. I'm so incredibly thankful to my friends and family who have made donations. As I mentioned before, anyone who donates can send me the name of a friend or family member who has battled cancer.

Help Me Make a Difference in the Race Against Cancer
I'm running in the 2011 ING New York City Marathon with Fred's Team to raise funds for crucial cancer research, and I'm asking you to help me by donating to my run.

How You Can Help
Please make a gift to my run today -- any amount helps -- and bring us one step closer to a world without cancer. Your support helps fund new research and new treatments that bring true hope to countless men, women, and children.

If you'd like to make a donation, please visit my personal page.

2011 NYC Marathon -- How I Got In

As you may know, in order to get into the NYC Marathon, you have to enter a lottery and keep your fingers crossed that you get in. It's such a huge race and so many people want to do it, it's the only fair way to handle all of the entries they receive each year. If you don't get picked for three years in a row, you're automatically in the following year. There are also other ways to gain entry, including running a certain number of road races through the New York Road Runners (NYRR) team or raising money for a charity.

I entered the lottery last year and didn't get in, so I entered again this year...and didn't get in. Dismayed by the whole thought of having to wait two more years for guaranteed entry, I made the decision to raise money for a charity. I selected Fred's Team, which raises money to support Memorial Sloan-Kettering. Their goal is to live in a world free of cancer. With so many friends and family members who have either fought against cancer or know someone who has, I felt drawn to this particular charity. So now comes the fun part, raising money. I need to raise $3,500 by November 6th. I'm excited and petrified all as the same time -- sort of how I feel about running my second marathon.

I'll share my training plan and the trials and tribulations of preparing for a marathon and fundraising. I'd love to get your input, too. Have you completed a marathon? Any tips you'd like to share?

I could use your help. Check out my fundraising page. Thanks in advance for your help!