To Run or Not To Run

I have a love/hate relationship with running. I am one of those people that loves to work out. I plan my workouts at the beginning of the week and constantly mix things up with Physique 57, spin classes, sports conditioning classes and running. Admittedly, I am least excited on the days that I schedule a run. Why do I do this to myself, you may ask? A reasonable question, sure. Each time I commence a run I am constantly cursing myself out for having enforced this upon myself but after a few miles, suddenly, a shift occurs. The pain and anger turn into cool sense of euphoria. The adrenaline pumps through my body and I actually start to enjoy myself, and upon completing the run I feel absolutely phenomenal. It's as if I have conquered mind over matter-I had a goal and I persevered to achieve that goal. It is precisely that feeling that keeps me running. So much so that two years ago, I decided that I would like to run the New York City marathon once in my lifetime. 

Me (in the green) at the finish line of last week's 4-miler. Though this picture begs to differ, I promise I was feeling euphoric!

The New York Road Runners has a program where if you run 9 races with them as a NYRR member and volunteer at one race during one calendar year, you will be eligible to run the NYC marathon the following year. I have been trying to complete my 9 races for the past 2 years to no avail. Last year, I became pregnant and chose to stop running since I was not doing it regularly prior to my pregnancy. And the year before that I just got lazy. So hopefully this will be the year where I shall complete my 9 races. Last month, I enthusiastically signed up for most of the NYRR races in April and May. I ran the Scotland Run 10k two weeks ago and then  the Run for the Parks 4-miler last week. I was signed up for the NYRR 4-miler today but upon waking up bright and early this morning (much earlier than planned since baby boy is a very early morning person!) and seeing the gloomy and wet weather, I started a little "pros and cons of doing the run" in my mind. Pro: I have never run in the rain before and it will be an adventure. Con: It is cold and rainy. Pro: It will train me to be resilient and hence make be a better runner. Con: It is cold and rainy. I did this for about a half hour before the cons prevailed and I retreated back under the covers of my warm bed. Oh well, there will be other races!

My t-shirt and race number from today's race