An Announcement!

So...got this email today. It read like this-

Congratulations AUSTIN SELBY!

You're eligible for guaranteed entry to the race everyone wants to run—the ING New York City Marathon on November 6, 2011. You must claim your guaranteed entry by 11:59 p.m. on April 19.

Let's not kid ourselves. I knew full well that I qualified automatically for this year's race the moment I crossed the line last November. I had already agreed with my wife, who so patiently endures all of my training, that I would not tax our budget by going to NYC or somewhere else crazy to run a race this next year. You see, that was all well and good, and then I went for a run on December 9th.

Getting hit by the car has managed to change numerous things in my life, and it would appear that this is going to be one of them. As soon as I received the email, I called my wife and told her what a bummer it was. There is no way that I will be marathon ready come this November, and really, who would want to go run 4:30 or slower, when you just a year before ran almost two hours faster? I should not even be walking yet, much less planning a fall marathon for this year (though, I am walking now:) God Be Praised! I mentioned that I would love a deferment, and my wife, to my surprise said, "Of course, you have to. Yes. Yes. Yes."

Well I then proceeded to read the email that I was sent, prepared to fire back an impassioned response, and more or less beg to be let into the 2012 race. However, the New York Road Runners Club, brilliant people that they are, had an option for such people like me. You can register, pay, cancel, and defer to the next year. Ah Ha! Brilliant to quote the Guiness guys.

So, without further ado. My next marathon, my return to marathoning, will once again be in the great 5 borough race. The ING New York City Marathon.

Working on my racing and training schedule as soon as I get off here. Will post it in the coming days.