Niwot's Alison Steele tackles the NYC Marathon

Alison Steele, co-owner of the Niwot Market, conquered the New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 3. For Steele, the race was not just about covering 26.2 miles.

For Steele, it was about balancing her passion for running with her roles as a mother, a business owner, and a community member, all while honoring the memory of her father, Bert Steele.

Steele has been a runner since high school, where she competed in cross country and track. Though she ran her first marathon in college, it was not until her 30s that she fully embraced the sport. Since then she has tackled some of the world's most prestigious races, including the Boston and Chicago Marathons.

The NYC Marathon, however, has always been special to her. "NYC is the best marathon there is," Steele said. "The crowds, the atmosphere, and the course are all amazing. You start in Staten Island, run through all five boroughs, and finish in Central Park."

Steele spent months preparing for the big race, training with the Boulder Track Club under coach Clint Wells. Her regimen included long runs that gradually increased to 20 miles and two weekly workouts at her target marathon pace. To prepare for the challenging NYC course, she also made sure to include plenty of hilly runs in her routine.

Even with a solid training plan, Steele admitted the toughest part was juggling her many responsibilities. "Being a mom, a business owner, and a wife was the hardest part," she said. "Trying to find a balance and doing the most important job of taking care of Elizabeth, my 2 -and-a-half-year-old."

This was Steele's first marathon since becoming a mom, and her first without her father's support. Bert Steele had always been a huge fan of her running, tracking her progress on race days, and attending her first marathon. Despite his self-admitted struggles with technology, he never missed an opportunity to cheer her on. "I felt him the entire run, and that helped," said Steele.

Race day brought its own set of rewards. Steele crossed the finish line in 3:06:36, shaving two minutes off her 2017 NYC Marathon time. Along the way, she experienced several unforgettable moments. One of the highlights came at mile 15, as she crossed the Queensboro Bridge. "No one is allowed on it, and when you get off, you can almost feel the vibration on the bridge with all the cheering from the crowd when you run into Manhattan," she said.

The final stretch through Central Park was another memorable moment. "Central Park is really fun–probably because you're almost done."

Steele has now completed three of the six World Marathon Majors: Boston, Chicago, and New York. She hopes to add the London Marathon to her list, though her multiple attempts at the lottery so far have not been successful.

When it comes to advice for first-time marathoners, Steele encourages people to enjoy the process. "Make it fun, meet friends, and find good trails to run on," she said. "Make sure that you run at least one 20-miler and practice your nutrition for the race. Taking nutrition during the race can really help you. Do your first one at sea level–it's much better."