BHAGs

Dear Chicken Nugget,

I've got a problem.  I love to run.  But, during the cold, winter months I can't get myself to run on my own; at least not regularly and as often as I'd like.  Running in the freezing cold is hard, not to mention stupid.  

This year my winter running has improved by coaching my Young Runners Club.  It's also helped to be inspired by you.  I have been getting out, just not as often as I'd like. 

I can always do better.  So, in my attempt to get into better shape this year I've set a big goal to run the 13.1 NYC half-marathon.

Setting a big goal is a sure-fire way for me to train harder.  When I first started running I set a big goal to run a marathon.  I went from barely being able to run 2 blocks to completing 26.2 miles in nine months.  In my almost seven years as a runner, I've  had to repeatedly set race goals to inspire me to train harder.  Without a race as an end-goal, I'll take things a little too easy.

I've also become a sort of charity runner.  I like to use my running to raise money and awareness for certain causes.  Over the past few years I've raised money for St. Jude's Childrens Hospital, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the American Heart Association and this year, World Vision.

By setting a big goal and running for a charity I ensure that I stick to a training program.

Today when I go out and run in freezing temperature I'll know that there are many reasons for me to keep going: you and your mom, my health, people in Africa, and simply getting to the finish line.
 
Speaking of finish line, I've gotta go.  Now.  So cold.


Eternally yours,

Tu papa

the NYC Marathon and me

Dear Chicken Nugget,

Ever since I was little I've been a fan of the NYC Marathon.  My Aunt Bella and I would wake up on Marathon Sunday and start watching the coverage on TV and start making fake bets on who would win that year.

For a few years we lived on Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, right along the route.  We'd watch the elite runners approach on TV and then hit the street to watch and cheer them on live.  Then, as the morning progressed and a speedy few became a thundering thousand, I'd go out there to high five as many runners as we could. 

I started dreaming of running the NYC Marathon in my early 20s, before I could even run a mile, but haven't had my chance yet.  Lack of luck with the entry lottery and injury has prevented me from joining the 40+ thousand people running the NYC Marathon every year.   

sleepy Nugget on his way to cheer

 Although I've run marathons in New Jersey and Maryland, the dream of running the NYC Marathon is still alive and thriving.  This year, at just 2 months old, we took you to Manhattan to cheer for the thousands of runners in the Marathon.  You slept through all the noise but I was inspired by it.

little Nugget sleeps in the baby carrier while dad cheers along with a teammate - yes, a chicken

Seeing all those people enjoying my city and pushing themselves to the limit makes me want to get out there and join them.  As they say in sports, especially when you're a Mets fan like me, "There's always next year"  . . . and the year after that.

If weather permits, I can't imagine a better motivator than seeing you and your mom cheering me on.  Then maybe, some day, we'll run a marathon together.  


Eternally yours,

Tu papa