Highlights from 2014: Running a Half and Full Marathon, Bib Number Drama, Raising Funds for JDRF, and Starting a New Business

Where did 2014 go?   As 2015 is just days away, I wanted to reflect back and share some of my highlights this past year.  My highlight list isn't long and extravagant but 2014 was a pretty good year - both personally and professionally.  

1.  I ran my first NYC Half Marathon on March 16, 2014.
I never considered myself a runner but when my family and I moved to the east coast, I  took up running for exercise and I have been hooked ever since.  I have always admired runners and I remember going to Manhattan the day after the NYC Marathon several years ago and I was in awe by the runners proudly wearing their medals.  I said to myself, "I want one of those some day..."

I remember talking with my dear and closet friend Carol Kandler - who has run several marathons in the past - about this "quest" that I had about running a marathon someday and she said that it was attainable but you have to train and you need mental toughness.  She suggested I try to run in a Half Marathon first so I signed up.

Honestly, I was so stressed about this race.  Will I finish?  Will I be the last person to cross that finish line?  I trained really hard especially during the cold, brutal, and bitter New England winter we had.  My family thought I was crazy waking up every day at 4:30 am to go running but I had to do it.  I didn't care about my time or how fast I could run.  All I wanted to do was finish...and finish strong.

After months of training, I did finish and when I crossed the finish line my daughter Emma said to me, "Now, go train for the full marathon..."

2. I completed my first TCS NYC Marathon on November 2, 2014...with a little drama in between!
After the finishing the NYC Half Marathon, I was up for the challenge to train for the full.  Training for this race was more nerve wracking for me because the thought of running for 26.2 miles seemed literally impossible.  I was convinced that if I finished, I would most likely  be the last runner crossing that finish line because I am a total slow poke.  The commitment set in and I was determined.  I crossed trained (running, biking, weight training, swimming, and yoga) throughout the heat and humidity during the summer months in southern New England.  One word to describe training in this type weather:  YUCK.  I felt as if I was training in a 500 degree oven.  Not fun.

Fast forward a few days before the marathon.  Luckily, I was in Manhattan for business earlier in the week so I was able to pick up my bib number and avoid the mad rush at the Expo the day before the marathon.  I packed and unpacked my bags over and over again.  I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed.  My daughter Emma and I headed to Manhattan early morning on November 1st.  We had a low key day in the city and around 5:30pm, I decided to unpack my running gear bag for the big race.  Sneakers - check, running tights - check, socks - check, running top - check.  Bib number...?  Where was my bib number?  Gulp.  I was in a panic...

I tore my gear bag apart looking for my bib number and my daughter Emma thought I was kidding.  I immediately called my husband Marty and asked him to look for it at home...Yes, I left the bib number sitting on my dining room table earlier that morning.  

After this crazy and stressful set back my dear husband came up with the idea to ask a Peter Pan bus driver to deliver my bib to me at Port Authority.  Marty drove to the bus terminal and arrived at 5:50pm.  He spoke to a bus driver named Bill Chandler who was scheduled to drive to New York City at 6:00pm and told him about our dilemma. Mr. Chandler graciously agreed to deliver my bib as long as I was at the Port Authority gate when the bus arrived.

The bus arrived at 9:45pm at Port Authority and I was there waiting practically in tears.  The bib number was in my hands...Now, I was ready for the race!

After months of training, the bib number drama from the night before, lingering back spasms at mile 18, the cold wind during the race, fatigue, tons of high-fives from total strangers through the 5 boroughs of New York City, cheers and hugs from my daughter Emma and my friend Carol during the race, I finally crossed the finish line at the TCS New York City Marathon! I was all smiles from ear to ear but I cried, too.  It was very emotional for me. There were so many times during the race where I just wanted to quit but I persevered and I did it!  Truly, running this race was one of the hardest but most memorable things I have ever done.  By they way, I wasn't the last person to cross that finish line...

I felt like an Olympic gold medalist wearing the beloved hardware around my neck - Personally, it was such an incredible feeling of achievement that I will always treasure.  Both of my medals proudly adorned the Welch Christmas tree this year.

3.  I raised funds for JDRF (The Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund).
This is a biggie for me.  My 12 year old daughter Emma was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes over 4 years ago.  Ever since her diagnosis, I have been an advocate in raising funds to find a cure to this terrible disease.  I ran for Team JDRF for both the NYC Half Marathon and the TCS New York City Marathon in honor of my daughter. One of my biggest wishes is that we find a cure to end Type 1 Diabetes...NOW!

4.  I started a new business - my 2nd.
As many know, starting a new business is not easy.  It takes a lot guts, time, energy, and determination to make it happen. I decided to start another (my 2nd) business - {g}Collaborative - a marketing + publicity agency - after many years of helping others with their businesses.  I just made it official this year!  

I couldn't be happier.  At this point in my career, I am ready and excited for my new venture as I feel this is my true calling;  Helping others, giving back, and sharing my business experiences and knowledge.  So far, it has been fun working with start-ups and with a few established businesses.

What will the New Year bring for me?  Hopefully, it will bring just as much excitement (and drama) as it did in 2014!

2015, I'm ready for you...