In my pre-race blog last week, I said that you learn a lot about yourself when you train for a marathon. After running the New York City Marathon, I realized that you also learn a lot about other people too.

Marathon week was a roller coaster ride. The pre-race buzz emanating from the city energized me. But, I didn't feel great during my runs – my Achilles and IT band on my right leg were still bothering me, leaving me deflated: “If I feel this way during a 3 miler, how I am going to make it to mile 26?” Panic set in. Should I even run the race?

Jen ready to run at 5 a.m. the morning of the race.

While visiting the race expo, I perused a large poster board displaying the images of all 343 firefighters that died on 9/11. As I wiped my tears, the fireman behind the table asked, “You running the marathon on Sunday?” I nodded my head. “You’re gonna love it – you’re going to do great!” he said warmly. I thought to myself – here’s this man who puts his life on the line on a daily basis, who survived 9/11 – a hero, talking to me like I’m the hero for what I’m going to be doing on Sunday. I felt a shift taking place.

Later, I watched coverage of Edison Pena, the incredible Chilean miner who was also running on Sunday. Not only was this man was going to run the marathon with an injured knee, the longest training run he’d completed was 10 km (my longest was 23 miles, so I had nothing to complain about). My amazing friends Erin and Lindsay then stopped by my room, aware of my fears. “Stop focusing on what you’re afraid might happen,” they encouraged. “You have to at least try. That is why you are here.” And with those words, my fears disappeared in a New York minute.

It’s amazing what happens when you change your mind set – the world around you changes too. On Sunday morning as I stepped on the bus headed to Staten Island, Kathleen Jobes – an elite runner who competed in the 2008 US Olympic Marathon trials, whispered in my ear, “Jen – I promise you, running New York, you will not feel your Achilles at all.” On the bus I sat next to Dana Casanave. This marked her 44th marathon of 2010 (she is running 52 marathons in 52 weeks to raise money for South African orphans). I was so inspired, I wanted to jump off the bus right then and start running.

Jen at the lululemon Mile 23 cheer station.

As the race began over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, I realized that Kathleen was right – I did not feel my Achilles at all, nor did I feel it for the entire race. Entering Brooklyn, I was motivated like never before. Both sides of the race route were crammed with people cheering passionately…and it didn’t stop for all 26.2 miles. As I ran, I thought, this is what Sidney Crosby must have felt scoring the gold medal winning goal. But I think I felt even more elated than that.

Everyone asked what my favorite part of the race was. I was so inspired by every single spectator; I slapped every outstretched hand, I waved at every fireman and policeman; I smiled at every face. At mile 23 I was in pain; my legs felt like lead, my feet ached tremendously. I passed the lululemon cheer station in Harlem, and what a boost they provided. Then, about half a mile after that, I had the honor to share a few strides next to the Chilean miner. That was all the inspiration that I needed to gut out the final 2 miles. Running through Central Park was a bit of a blur, but crossing the finish line wasn’t. I felt overwhelming joy that has yet to cease.

So, while many people are inspired by those who run marathons, I am declaring that I am inspired by all of those amazing people who supported me – family, friends and all of those spectators who cheered, and made me feel like a champion. What a wonderful world. Thank you!

View more photos of the lululemon community at the NY marathon

Hi! I’m Caity, a Key Leader at lululemon Eaton Centre, and I am a distance runner.

Like many distance runners, that BIG race has been one of my goals for years – the marathon! Year after year I have pushed it back, telling myself it’s too far, I’m too scared, the training’s too intense, I can’t commit, I can’t do it, I’ll fail… trust me, I had a really great list of excuses.

While volunteering in Africa with GrassrootSoccer (a non-profit organization that uses soccer as a tool to educate youth on HIV/AIDS) I realized that if I was ever going to accomplish my goal of running a marathon I needed to run for something bigger than myself. In April 2010 I was presented an opportunity and immediately that list of excuses I had created just vanished and the choice was clear. I registered for the New York City Marathon on Nov. 7, 2010 with the GrassrootSoccer team.

Now, less than 1 week before my race I have been clocking around 70kms per week leading up to the marathon, including distance runs, speed work, and hill training in the sun, wind, and rain. I’ve pushed myself further than I ever imagined, I’ve exceeded all limits I thought I had, and I walk with a new bounce in every step. But the greatest surprise of all is the feeling of sheer gratitude at the end of every run (I am often moved to tears – seriously!). I am thankful for my family, my friends, my health, my job, the roof over my head and the food in my fridge.

So, what is my purpose? I am running for children. I am running for life. I am running to change the world.

What are you running for?

View some running gear:

• Ta Ta Tamer
• Run: Swiftly Tech Short Sleeve
• Run: Dash Tight

This guest post was co-written by Becky and Tricia, a dynamic duo in NYC! Becky (aka Becks) is the store manager at lululemon Lincoln Square, and Trish is the assistant manager.

7:30 a.m.: We start our day by grabbing a cup of coffee and then walk to the Lincoln Square store to begin to roll out the game-day plan. Opening the store together in the morning remains one of our favorite parts of the job.

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: The 1st round of product walk-throughs with our growing team begins. Courtney, the new showroom manager from Orlando, joins the team this morning to experience the day in the life of a New York manager.

9:30 a.m. – 10: a.m.: Product walk-through concludes and the seven-person team works to open the store. Before the clock strikes 10, we come together for the morning meeting. Goals are stated, sections are assigned and we’re off to the races!

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: The Thursday morning party has begun with quite a storm. It is the first cold, rainy day in New York City and our guests are coming in looking for warmth and listening to Dave Matthews Band on Pandora.

10:30 a.m.: We make a last minute purchase for our class with Nalini Method Ambassador Rupa Mehta.

10:45 a.m. – 11:45 p.m.: Nalini Class with Rupa. The Nalini Method is an intense full-body workout that includes a focus on your best assets: abs, ass and arms.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Apres class, Trish and Courtney grab a quick lunch and are back to the store while Becks and Rena meet with Rupa and Liz Eustace (Regional Community Guru) to discuss Rupa’s leadership in the New York City Recreation Center renovations and lululemon’s involvement and continued partnership.

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Leadership meeting focusing on community initiatives leading up to the New York Marathon and finalizing finishing touches on our Charitable Giving Day next Tuesday, October 20th.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: We bang it out on the floor.

3:00 p.m.: Becks has an interview with a key leader from the St. Louis Showroom who is pursuing her goals of moving to New York City and would like to continue growing with lululemon.

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: We meet to discuss the next quarterly sales plan next weeks’ schedule including the Halloween window installation.

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Spin class with the city-wide lululemon supporting team at Soul Cycle – East with new instructor Sherman.

Inspired by these managers? The New York region is full of amazing opportunities and are looking for goal driven people to join the team! Think you have what it takes? Check it out: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA1/ats/careers/searchResults.jsp?org=LULU&cws=1?cid=blog