Never Say Never...

On Sunday, April 15th, beneath sunny skies and amongst over 7,000 women, a CEO, VP and AE anxiously awaited at the start line of the More/Fitness Half Marathon in Central Park, NYC. After weeks of training and over a hundred miles logged between us, the moment had finally arrived where our preparation would be put to the test by participating in the largest women's half marathon in the country, pushing our bodies to run 13.1 miles. It was time to kick some asphalt. 

It was a first for all of us, and as self-proclaimed "non-runners" our inspiration was uniquely different. For Barby, it was a new physical challenge.  Starting almost every morning with 90 minutes at the gym, Barby was ready to see what all of the hype was about around running an organized race. Jackie had always been the faithful cheerleader on the sidelines supporting her friends and family in various athletic events, and decided it was her turn to put down the posters and hit the pavement with visions of a medal around her neck and a tinfoil blanket around her body at the finish line. I had run shorter races and competed a triathlon, but this was my longest run to-date and one of 9 races I must complete this year to qualify for my ultimate goal, running the 2013 NYC Marathon.

The horn sounded and we were off, each individual running at her own pace, putting one step in front of the other mile after mile as we completed over two loops of the iconic park. As we ran, we were motivated not only by the numerous pre-race tweets and Facebook posts from colleagues, and by those who came to the race to cheer, but knowing that we were in it together, as a team.

It sounds cliché but we all agreed, running the half marathon drew a lot of parallels to life. It was about being open to possibilities you never thought were imaginable. What if I stepped outside my comfort zone to achieve a personal best? What if I could inspire others in the process? What if I kept going, kept pushing, kept running, kept moving? What if?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

The ”What if” became reality at mile 13.1 and as we stood together; all smiles, arm and arm, posing for our post-race photo it became clear to never say never. We did it! And if we could do this, what else could we do?

 With our medals hanging in our cubes, and congratulatory flowers sitting on our desks, a new Zeno tradition has begun. We, the “runners,” are ready to tie our laces and start training for the next big adventure that lies ahead and can’t wait to get other Zenoids on board!

What's Your Never Say Never Moment?