GWEN SCHROEDER

Post-accident consultation with Dr Simon (Taken with instagram)

Please share your opinion. Save the internet as we know it. 

I ran the NYC Marathon with a camera on my head. Cause I’m crazy like that!

This is happening. Again. 

Only 6 more days left until the big race! Number 3! How I made it to my 3rd marathon, I will never know. 

Last week, I official hit the 10K cumulative fundraising mark for Team Fox, all coming from personal donations. Thank you all for supporting me in reaching this tremendous milestone. It’s an overwhelming feeling to know one little person can raise so much money. 

In super exciting news, NYRR and the NYC Marathon team asked me to be a Social Media Reporter for the race. I’ll know more about what that entails this evening - can’t wait! After last year’s time lapse video cut out at mile 20, I’m determined to capture that finish line, come hell or high water! 

Stay tuned!

In my love/hate relationship with NYC and running, today I love them both.

My 2010 NYC Marathon time lapse video!

WNYC featured my race video and article and it’s making its rounds on the interwebs. Check it out!

oneimageoneword:

Marathon

The marathon countdown clock displayed the figure above when I stopped by NYRR for a little morning motivation.  My body has a similar clock, counting down to freedom. The weight of this year’s marathon feels much heavier than the last, which makes me wonder if it might be time for a little break from running. An easy 4 mile run is scheduled for this am, but it never truly feels easy until it’s over. Ugh.

Perhaps that’s just the problem - running was not meant to be easy. And maybe that’s why I keep chasing after the idea that, one day, I’ll reach a place where going out for a run feels effortless. Isn’t that chase the reason why people run in the first place?

Until I arrive at that magical destination of no sweat exercise, I’ll whine as I slip on my shoes and head out the door, knowing that it will feel a hell of lot easier once I’m back home. And come Sunday evening, I’ll have proudly carried this load over the last several months, and far more than just 26.2 miles. I won’t need a clock to remind me what I’ve accomplished, just a tub full of ice and a hot tea (or toddy)!

“It does not matter how slow you go so long as you do not stop.” - Confucius 

That’s the quote that tumblr selected for every beginner’s profile template. It resonates with me and it hits right at the heart of why I chose to start this blog, so I might as well keep it around.

For years, I’ve jotted down quotes that have inspired me in any given moment, tucked away in my little moleskins which have accompanied me thru life’s adventures. “Happiness is a journey, not a destination.”,”I’m not here for a long time, I’m here for a good time.”,”True courage is not the absence of fear—but the willingness to proceed in spite of it.” There’s a pattern to the sayings that have stuck with me - each motivates me, on the dreariest of days, to quit whining and enjoy the moment, but always push forward when times are hard.

So that’s what I intend to do. In less than 2 weeks, I will set out on my second attempt at the NYC Marathon. After a sprained ankle (now healed!) and several bouts with illness, I might not set a personal record on November 7th. And that’s ok, as long as I don’t stop. Maybe I’ll even take the time to enjoy myself.

PostScript: I’ve even planned to document the journey! In my nerdiest act to date, I will wear this crazy camera on my head while running all 26.2 miles. Eat that,  Lewis Skolnick!