The time is almost here. For 11 years now, I have dreamed of running the New York City Marathon. Many obstacles prevented me from getting here. Whether it was living away from the city for either work or school, or being denied a number of times in the lottery by the New York Road Runners, all of that will go away once I get that amazing feeling at the starting line. A feeling of accomplishment, evidence that one can do whatever they put their minds too. A feeling of joy that I made it to the starting line healthy.
And indeed I will be healthy. The Lehigh Via Marathon was a turning point in my running lifestyle. It taught me that training for a marathon is more than just running an overwhelming number of miles in the 3 or 4 months leading up to the event. Proper recovery, strength training, and nutrition is also a major factor. I've received plenty of feedback on why and how my hamstring failed me in my last marathon. To name a few:
1. Excessive inflammation
2. Muscle overuse
3. Not enough strength training
4. Weak hips
5. Hot day
6 Not enough hamstring flexibility.
7. Unprepared for hills
All of these comments, whether it came from my doctor, massage therapist, or fellow runners, where all considered in the two months training session after Lehigh leading up tot he TCS NYC Marathon. I continued my regimen of building up to 26 miles running fartlek then giving myself about a month taper with gradual (roughly 25%) decrease on my long run from week to week.
