What possessed you to want to run a marathon?
It was written!! My plan was to run the NYC marathon next year, but I was selected to run this year. Athletics has always been part of my life and my competitive spirit still burns, and running is a great way for me to still challenge myself. A marathon is a true test of a runner’s physical and mental capabilities. As long as I prepare myself, I will be ready to take on this feat.
How long have you been running?
It all started last year. I (foolishly) signed up to run a 10K race (after being convinced by a friend to run). After that race, I started to run 4 or 5 miles while at the gym. I became a New York Road Runner’s member and entered my name in the NYC half marathon lottery. I was selected to participate in the NYC Half Marathon, which meant more running. Soon after I began to train the half marathon, I became addicted to running. Ever since then, I have enjoyed running and it has become a passion of mine. Running allows me to thinking about my busy life (job, family, and baby on the way) and relieves stress. Running is also great for my health.
What is your training like?
Brutal. My old routine was extremely rigorous. It consisted of hard workouts for 3 days and then cross training for 2 days. A few weeks into the training, I started to experience pain on my knees, so then I decided to take a break for a couple of weeks to figure out an alternative. One of the benefits of being a member of the NYRR is that they have a guided training for first time runners. Now my training consists of me running 5 to 6 days a week totaling 35 miles, where 8 to 20 miles are run on the weekends.
How do think you will feel after you finish the marathon?
Accomplished and exhausted both mentally and physically. I believe by completing the marathon that I have achieved the greatest physical goal of my life. Although the process has been grueling, the result will be well worth it. Running the marathon and having the opportunity to give back is both a pleasure and a dream come true.
What’s the process to participate in the ING NYC Marathon? I understand there is a process.
There are three ways one can participate in the marathon. Sign up to become a member of the New York Road Runners. Once a member you have to run 9 NYRR qualifying races and volunteer for a race. Then you qualify to run the marathon the following year. This was originally my plan. Another way is to make a major contribution to a NYRR selected charity. The final way to qualify is to enter your name into a lottery. If you get picked, you’re in. I was fortunate enough to be selected to run this year. I took a chance by entering my name into the lottery, when I found out that I was selected, I knew it was meant for me to run this year. Not only will I being running for personal reasons, but most importantly I will also be running to raise money for Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. They fund research to the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism.
You mentioned that you were raising money for Autism Speaks; tell me some more about the organization and why you decided to affiliate yourself with them.
Autism is a disorder that hits close to home. I have an autistic nephew. I have friends that have autistic children, so it makes sense for me to help raise money for Autism Speaks. Autism affects 1 out of 150 children*, and Autism Speaks is an organization that helps families cope with the issues that come with raising a child with Autism. The organization not only supports research to help develop a cure, but they also provide outreach services. The more that people are aware, the more that can be done so that a cure can be developed. Their affiliation with the New York Road Runners makes it even a bigger deal for me because it is not just about me finishing the marathon, but helping a cause that means a great deal to me.
How do you feel about Marbey donating a portion of its sales (up until the day of the NYC Marathon) to Autism Speaks and the awareness of autism on behalf of you?
Great!!! It is incredible that a company that is young and aware of the impact of Autism in its community is donating some of their profits to this cause. It feels good to know that Marbey does things like this and gives back to the community. Marbey’s motto is “Live, just don’t survive” and they are just not surviving by making sales, but living by giving back. Marbey is living by their motto, what a great feeling!!
Marbey NY Clothing Co. will be donating a portion of its sales up to November 1st to Autism Speaks on behalf of Julio Corado. Please visit www.marbey.com.
If you are interested in help donate to Autism Speaks, go to http://tinyurl.com/yjw38d4 or http://www.autismspeaks.org/ http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/ http://www.nyrr.org/
