The last 48 hours have been an emotional roller coaster to say the least. It’s been more than 48 hours since I last posted and so much has taken place that I don’t even know where to begin.
I’ll start with a thank you. The number of emails, phone calls, text messages, visits, comments, Facebook messages, and more that both Bo and I have received over the past 36 hours have been incredible. We are so blessed to have a strong community of friends and family in addition to the blogging community and friendships that I’ve built over the past few years.
As you may remember, I took Friday off of work to volunteer at the ING NYC Marathon Expo, handing out bibs with Ashley and Beth from 9-3pm. It was exactly the motivation and inspiration we needed to get excited about the weekend! We met people from all over the world who were so excited to be in New York City and run in the marathon. Many even asked where they could make donations and help those who had been affected by the hurricane! It was an overwhelming but wonderful morning.
It was also the first day I wore makeup or straightened my hair all last week. Needless to say I spent 45 minutes in the bathroom at Equinox just enjoying the heat, electricity, and warm water.
I was smiling like this for the next few hours. I ran a few last minute errands, our amazing friends offered us their warm apartment on the Upper West Side for the weekend since it was near the marathon finish, and I finally ended my afternoon near Bo’s office, getting a pre-marathon manicure and toe nail polish change around 5pm.
Fifteen minutes later I received a text from Theodora asking me how I was doing that she’d just seen the news. I had no idea what she was talking about. Then, thanks to Twitter, I was quickly updated on the situation.
The next 24 hours are a bit of a blur following the announcement. While I, like many others, believe the right decision was made in the end, I was most frustrated about the communication and the timing. After the reality set in I went through more emotions than I realized possible. I cried at the nail salon for a good 30 minutes while talking with Monica, Bo, Gia, and my family on the phone. I yelled at Bo when he didn’t seem as emotional and merely said that there was nothing we could do so there was no sense in getting upset. I frantically tried to find another race but quickly realized I couldn’t join the Richmond Marathon brigade from New York since we have a wedding next weekend. Then I just shutdown. I was tired of talking about it and I was tired of thinking about it. Ten of us came together to laugh and morn over drinks Friday night which ended up lasting until past midnight. It was so fun spending the evening with people that I’ve met through running and blogging in New York City. Each and every one of these ladies touched me that night just by understanding and I can’t thank them enough. Then as the night progressed our friends’ outpouring of calls, texts, and even venturing downtown from the Upper East Side for drinks just made our hearts so happy.
When I woke up Saturday morning I was in full depression mode. I slept for 11 hours, didn’t want to leave bed, and called my dad to cry for a good 30 minutes. Between he and Bo they both helped me realize that I personally wanted to find another Fall marathon. While Bo is holding out for New York City Marathon next year or possibly a Spring marathon, I really wanted to put all my training to the test and run a marathon this Fall. After two hours of research, crossing my fingers, saying a few prayers, and support from Laura, Theodora, Bo and my family I decided to sign up for the Philadelphia Marathon.
I lived in Philadelphia for 3 years before New York City and still remember toeing the line of my first half marathon there five years ago.
I am thankful that I was able to secure a bib through a local Philadelphia charity. Even better, the charity is something that I’m passionate about supporting and am excited to share with friends and family. This will be my first time running with a charity organization and I’m excited to support a smaller, grassroots charity.
Yesterday, by noon, I found out that I was accepted and officially in the Philadelphia Marathon. As soon as I had this confirmation the weekend was able to turnaround for me mentally and emotionally. An angel had extra tickets to Book of Mormon which she shared with us yesterday and laughing for 2 hours was the perfect way to kick off a better mood. If you haven’t seen this show yet, do whatever it takes whether that means standing in the back, to see this hilarious musical. It is 100% politically incorrect but so much fun. The entire audience, old and young alike, were laughing for the whole show.
The rest of the evening included multiple Chelsea Pumpkin Ale’s with a spiced rim, great friends, college football, laughter, and birthday celebrations at a cute little bar and restaurant we discovered on 48th and 9th, West End Bar & Grill.
This morning I woke up refreshed and ready to conquer a double digit run in the beautiful Central Park with Laura, Theodora, Marcial, and thousand of other runners from across the world. I never expected the number of runners to be in the thousands but it was an amazing run. There were donation bins where people could donate food, water, fuel, or clothing along with thousands of runners enjoying 26.2 or 2 miles in Central Park’s late Fall beauty. The air was cold, the path was packed, bikers didn’t have a chance, and spectators even came out to support everyone. The 11 miles weren’t the easiest considering my tight legs and two days of late beer filled nights but I was smiling ear to ear the entire run.
This was definitely the perfect end to an emotional weekend filled with highs and lows. For now, Bo and I are spending the rest of our Sunday donating clothes, fuel, and shoes to local shelters and I’m working on a fun project to help out a fellow health blogger who lost everything last week. Check back tonight for a post explaining how you can help Jen and her family with just a few clicks of a button! Here’s a little hint..
YAY I am so glad that you are so positive now 🙂 You are going to rock Philly!
I’m so glad you were able to find another race to run! It’s been an emotional week for many people – hang in there and congrats!
I cannot imagine how hard it must have been because I know that everyone said to you, AT least you didn’t lose your house… or life…. the problem is, it still affected you and missing the marathon is still really tough. I get it. Good for you for going forward!!! Keep it up and thank you for sharing about Jen.
Wow- what an emotional weekend you had! Definitely waiting until the last minute added extra emotion into the situation. I’m glad you found another marathon to run so all your hard work can go towards something!
I feel so disconnected with everyone being stuck in Jersey City! I would have loved to be there today running in the park with so many people and volunteering, and having drinks on Friday. I’m excited for you to run the Philly Marathon. You made a great choice since you used to live there and it’s probably time for you to try a new race! NYC will be here next year. I’m sorry things worked out the way they did for you but good things are coming.
Yay Ashley! I know this has been quite a rollercoaster- it’s great that you were able to feel the feelings, be supported by a loving community, and then looking ahead to Philly. This is great!
Keep me posted regarding Jen’s stuff. I want to put something out there to my communities and help her and her family rebuild.
I am definitely putitng Book of Mormon in my list of shows to see. I snagged free tickets to Evita last Saturday night and the show was really good that it was a nice break before the storm.
Glad to hear you have made your peace with the whole NYCM situation, and I’m sure you’re going to ROCK Philly in two weeks! Can’t wait to read about it.
it’s been such a tough week girl so it’s totally understandable you breaking down over this! i was saying yesterday how i couldn’t even think what it would feel like to train so hard and then not be able to run – in the end though it was the best decision and it’s people like you who make this city amazing! everything happens for a reason and you’re going to kill it and have a blast in philly! xox
Oof… I saw your tweets about the tears, and I instantly felt twice as crushed as I’d felt all day. All I can say is, I wish I could’ve given you a hug… but I’m looking forward to your recap of the Philly Marathon, now!
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I’m so glad you’re doing Philly!! This weekend has been an emotional roller coaster for me also, and my first thought was to find an other marathon ASAP, but there just isn’t anything near Arizona right now that would fit. I thought about how I could possibly make Philly work, and it just isn’t possible, but I do believe that it’s all worth it for what I experienced in central park this morning–I couldn’t believe the people who still came out there to support and I ran along crying and smiling like an idiot. I know it’s just make the first time I actually get to run a marathon even better, but I totally understand feeling depressed about it–it took me until after the run this morning to get out of it. You’ve worked really hard, and I can’t wait to read about you meeting your goal in 2 weeks. I KNOW you can do it!!!
Hey! I just found your blog. 🙂
I know it must have been a roller coaster ride for all the NYCM runners, the city, everyone and anyone affected by the hurricane.
Glad you’re doing well though. I heard about that run around central park! 🙂
Oh, That Kim-K sign – hilarious!
As a fellow New Yorker I have to say this post was off putting. You cried and cried because a marathon got cancelled? Get over yourself! I realize it’s all perspective but come on. Go get another manicure and see another Broadway show and buy another J.Crew item.
Delle – this is totally inappropriate. Sandy was a disaster that effected different people in different ways. Everyone who trained for months was crushed. If you’ve ever run a marathon then you should know and if you’ve never run one then you have no way of knowing how it feels.
Don’t call some someone inappropriate and sign off anonymous. You want to make a point make it with a name.
While I haven’t run a marathon I was an Olympic hopeful who was the last person cut from the team. I know what disappointment feels like and it never involved me crying in a nail salon followed by seeing a Broadway show.
Delle, let’s all try to be compassionate and kind towards each other. Criticizing Ashley’s response isn’t productive or helpful in any way.
Hi Ashley,
You will love the Philly Marathon, this will be my 4th time running it as I grew up on the Main Line and still live in the area with my husband. Please feel free to email me if you have questions – I know the course well! I know you have friends in the area, but if you need anything (restaurant reccos, parking suggestions, etc.) just let me know :). I’m anxiously awaiting race day myself in an attempt to PR, so fingers crossed for good weather & great races for us both!!
I’ve been wondering how you and some of the other bloggers were dealing. Obviously everyone knows just how trivial the marathon is in comparison to the life and death nature of what’s happened, but the cancellation isn’t any easier to deal with, I’m sure… not after all the training, hearing that it was still on throughout the week and working the expo. I just hate that it was canceled so last minute, instead of earlier in the week when it was first evident that the damage was significant.
Anyway, so glad you found another marathon after this crazy week and months and months of training! Looking forward to the recap of Philly.
So glad you found a way to make the best of the situation! I’m sure you’re going to rock the marathon in Philly!
Thank you so much for your post, you verbalized how a lot of us are feeling or at least me. I am glad you were able to get I to the Philly marathon, I signed up for Harrisburg.
A roller coaster indeed. You trained so hard, I am glad you are going to get to see your hard work pay off. Hang in there, and don’t let the negativity get you down. Your heart and kindness is beautiful as evidenced by what you are creating for Jen. So glad to know you now in real life!
I saw The Book of Mormon on Saturday as well! Absolutely hilarious. I’ve been to dozens of shows and The Book of Mormon ranks amoungst the best! I brought my 17 year old son who loved it too. It was a great mother/son day! I live just outside of Philly and wish you all the best with the marathon.
Glad to hear you got into Philly. I will be there as well and hope to run into you! I have been thinking about all you guys who had planned to run New York…best of luck to you in two weeks! 🙂
I cannot imagine how frustrated you were or how bittersweet it feels now knowing you can put forth all of your hard training efforts to the Philly Marathon. It sounds like you handled the situation as best you could and made the best of the moment, very inspiring! Best of luck!!!
Hey, I actually just found out that the marathon was cancelled when I got on your blog to check on your results…sorry, I obviously don’t know the whole situation around the decision but I disagree. I thought the marathon was the best way for people to channel their emotions over the effects of Sandy and show the strength of human perseverance…I am sorry so many missed out on that opportunity and I am glad you were able to find another marathon to channel yourself through. I am very proud for you for all that you have accomplished and respect your discipline and drive. Even in high school you had it and it’s awesome to see what you have made of it. Keep at it, good luck in Philly marathon!
Ashley – we are so proud of you! Good luck in the Philly marathon – I am praying for warmer weather than we had when we ran the half there 5 years ago!
Aww Amy you’re the best! Thanks for all your support! Hopefully I make us proud!!