Three years ago I used to throw my hands up in disbelief whenever my husband went out for a run after work. Then one evening, after finishing my workday and getting everything ready at home with the kids… I decided to put on some sneakers and go for a run. By the time I'd covered three kilometers I was completely wiped out, but the feeling was wonderful; almost without realizing it, I started running for a little while two or three days a week, with no goal other than enjoying it, no times or distances… just enjoying it. I never thought about doing a race, but along came a few 5k, 7k and 10k races, which already felt like plenty for me, with my job and so little free time.
One day my husband and my friend Carmen talked me into running a half marathon, and since I'm an “easy to convince” kind of girl, we did it!!! From that moment on, running the NY Half Marathon became my dream, a dream I shared with my husband. And this past March 19, we made it happen!!!
Running the NY Half Marathon is one of the most exciting experiences I've had in my 45 years. It started at 7 in the morning at zero degrees, and even so the atmosphere was one of a kind: people were totally into it, families lined the streets to cheer on the pros, the amateurs, runners in their eighties…. I'll never forget those first 10 kilometers uphill through Central Park, or the arrival in Times Square, which gave me goosebumps with so many people cheering: police officers… firefighters… kids…
I guess the crowd's energy carried me along and made me forget a small injury that had come to NY with me. A friend who ran with me gave me lots of encouragement, well… we encouraged each other, because running is an individual sport, but not so much when we share dreams.
With just two kilometers to go, I was overcome with emotion, remembering those first three kilometers I ran that evening, how far I'd come and how proud I was of myself, and thinking of my family, of my kids who had stayed behind in Spain (which turned out to be the hardest part of the race).
Without a doubt, the best part was the end, when they put the medal around my neck and right behind me was the person I love most, ready to wrap me in a hug after making another dream come true together….. It's incredible!!! I'll never forget this experience, and I'll never again let myself think that dreams don't come true. All it takes is determination, sacrifice, consistency, passion and good company.
Thanks to running, thanks to New York, and above all, thanks to myself, I keep outdoing myself every day in every area of my life.
Marta Peña
