9+1 Status: COMPLETE!!!

Over the past five and a half months, I have been working on a goal that is very near and dear to me as an avid marathon runner: earning entry into the 2015 NYC Marathon.

Most races, you can just pay the registration fee, and you're good to go as long as it doesn't sell out first. Well, it's not so simple with NYC. There's such a high demand for spots, that the race organizers had to develop a system to keep it fair. In order to run in the NYC Marathon, you have to qualify. Here's how you can qualify:

1. Time Qualification - run another marathon really fast... not going to happen for me!! I'd have to run a marathon under 3:10, or a half under 1:30... my current PRs in those races are 3:42 and 1:45 respectively.
2. Charity - join a charity team, fundraise their required minimum, run the race! The only catch is that $3,000 is the average minimum!!
3. Lottery - pay $11 to enter the lottery and hope you get lucky. My problem? I've applied six times and have never won a spot!
4. 9+1 - run 9 NYRR marathon qualifying races (distances vary from 1-26.2 mile races) and volunteer at 1 race. All races must be completed in one calendar year, and you must be a member.

***Possible Tissue Warning***

I started my 9+1 with a 4 mile race on April 27th... just five days after saying goodbye to Ninja. I wore my Team FUIF jersey on my back, and my Ninja on my mind and heart for each and every step along the way. Today, October 12th, I completed my 9th and final race. I have officially earned a spot to the 2015 NYC Marathon!

9+1 Status

9/9 RACES COMPLETE
VOLUNTEER: COMPLETE 
for guaranteed entry to2015 TCS New York City Marathon

Giving up my spot to the 2013 NYC Marathon was heartbreaking... in my eyes, that loss went hand in hand with the BFN of IVF #1. The plan was to defer the spot if I got pregnant from that cycle and run the race this year... and if I didn't get pregnant, I planned to give the spot to a friend. I am so happy that Amanda got to run the race, but it was very hard to hand over my bib. Along with the bib and the medal I should've kept for myself, I was giving up our hopes for a baby in 2014. </3

So you can probably imagine how important it is to me to get back to NYC and run the marathon. And I will. I dedicate these past 5-1/2 months of work to Ninja... I did it all for you, dear, and when I cross the finish line of the marathon, that will be for you too.
***End Tissue Warning***

Today's race was also bittersweet for another reason: it was my last race until we resolve our journey with infertility. One of the restrictions that Dr. KK has made for me includes no marathon running. She originally said no running at all until I advocated for myself. Now, I am allowed to run up until we cycle again, but under significant restrictions. You can bet your bottom dollar that I enjoyed every second of the race today. Even the parts when it was uncomfortable... with running, I take the good with the bad (and sometimes ugly), and today was mostly good though I did have some issues with my stomach. Maybe the meds contributed, or maybe it's the nutrition adjustment that I still can't figure out (after all these years!!!). Either way, I am overjoyed and so proud! Here's a collage I made of two jumps for joy after crossing the finish line:

Thanks for stopping by!