I have been asked many times over the years I’ve been running, when are you going to run a marathon. Well, my answer had always been – never. I just didn’t see myself making that commitment. Some of it due to knowing how much training time is involved and when I’m honest with myself, some of it fear that I won’t be able to run that far.

Well – you know what they say, never say never. Here I am not only committed to running the NYC Marathon for Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, but I’m super honored and excited to be experiencing this process. Don’t get me wrong, the miles are not coming super easy for me. My 18 mile run was a great confidence builder however my 20 mile run this weekend was a reality check for sure. I have a few elements dialed in well. My fluid and nutrition intake was spot on. I embraced the concept I need to walk some and did so while refilling my water bottle and taking in some calories. I had a great support crew and the weather was overcast and cool – fantastic for a long run day. However, my right IT band did not cooperate and I had to walk way more than I wanted to the last few miles. Yes, I have to remind myself this was still a great training session as it was 4 hours of time on my feet, getting my nutrition set up well and knowing I need to get more recovery for my IT band. (it was only 3 weeks between my 18 and 20 mile run and although I was mentally super ready, I obviously need more time in between long runs). Lessons learned and confirmed.

Another topic that used to be a never for me was getting a tattoo. I didn’t have the desire or reason and really didn’t see myself ever wanting to get one. Well guess what – I have a tattoo. About 6 months after my brother Leo died, my sisters starting sending me pictures of their shamrock tattoos. Why a shamrock? Leo had one tattoo and it was a shamrock. As a lifetime fan of Notre Dame and Catholic man, the shamrock was special to him. I was fortunate to have a conversation with Leo about the shamrock and it became very special to me as well after knowing his deep connection to it.

I walked into a tattoo business, asked for the artist I had heard only great things about, and got a shamrock tattoo above my left ankle. OMG – it felt like 1000 hornets stinging me. Whenever I see my shamrock tattoo I am reminded of my connection my brother and our common connection to the image.

What are your nevers that might become never say never? Well two of mine, running a marathon and getting a tattoo are part of my reality now and although they are no longer a never will do, I’m pretty confident to say they are probably going to be a one and done for me, maybe.