So, it's Saturday night and I am curled on
the couch with Wossy on the box, wrapped up in a lovely knitted blanket that my
mom sent over when I moved into my new place last month. It's near 10.30pm and
I am quite aware of the fact that I should be going to bed in the next hour if
I know what's good for me...
Bed at 11.30? On a Saturday night? Well,
yes. With at least 15 miles to run tomorrow, I think a good night of sleep is
one of many things I should be considering.
Some of you reading this may be aware (I have pretty much been shouting it from the
rooftops - both real and virtual) that in a very short time, I am jetting off
to New York City to take part in the NYC Marathon. That's right... i'll be
running my not-so-little arse off, through 26.2 miles of the Big Apple.
I am running the marathon in aid a charity
that is incredibly close to my heart - The IDEAL School of Manhattan. IDEAL
was founded by my Aunt Julia and Uncle John, and its an inclusion school that
is dedicated to creating a community that accepts every child from all walks of
life, at all levels of ability. It is a school that my little cousin Catherine
not only attends, but excels in because of their inclusive attitude to learning
and development.
Catherine has Down's Syndrome, and because
of the IDEAL School she is given the same opportunities to learn and grow as
any other child should. This amazing school will get her and her peers ready
for the exciting world that is waiting for them in the most effective of
manners.
I've been lucky enough to visit IDEAL on
numerous occasions over the years, and every single time, from the moment I
walk in through the big beautiful doors of that Brownstone building, I am
inspired.
I can't quite get my head around how much I
am looking forward to this. On the 4th of November, not even 7 weeks away, i'll
wake up to begin a day that I have no doubt i'll remember for the rest of my
life. I am both incredibly excited and massively terrified - I'm settling with
the fact that this combo is only going to become more extreme as the day draws
closer.
"Eeeeek", she says...
The route for the marathon is pretty
special. I grew up being fortunate enough to spend quite a lot of time in
New York City (see last blog post) and I have a long-standing love affair with
her and everything she has to offer... the good, the bad... the excellent. I
have this idea that whilst, yes, running 26.2 is no easy feat, the fact that I
am running it in my favourite city in the world, will somehow make it all a lot
more doable.
I've been speaking with colleagues, friends
and friends of friends who have either ran the NYC marathon or been in the city
when it has taken place, and their feedback is pretty motivating. You know what
those Amwuur-ick-ee-aans are like... They'll be out in their droves, cheering
like their lives depend on it. I will definitely be taking advantage of the
fact that I am Irish, and really milk it...
I've not been a very good blogger of late,
it has been a pretty hectic few months. But now that i'm in the home stretch of
my training... let's just say i'll have a little more time on my hands on
Friday and Saturday nights.
For those of you on Twitter, i've been
hashtaging my progress via #twentysixpointtwo. Keep an eye out! Send me some
virtual pats on the back, why don't you....
B
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