On a beautifully crisp autumn day last year, my then-boyfriend (now fiance) and I awoke to the blaring sound of Rocky’s theme song blasting on repeat outside our window. It was the day after Halloween, and in my sleepy mind I vaguely thought it was revelers who had partied straight through the night.

In our lovely little spot in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, we discovered that weekend just what a treasure our neighborhood was. Halloween night arrived with streets closed off, to allow for children and families to walk the middle of the streets as they pleased. Hundreds of people flooded the area, with apartment dwellers dressed as witches and goblins and Power Rangers gleefully handing out candy from their brownstone steps. Homeowners decked their walls with spiderwebs, and set up sound stages and booths on their front steps, for musicians and actors to entertain the night way.

It was our first year in Brooklyn, and Jorge and I were unaware of the annual tradition. I donned my black witches’ hat and Jorge pulled on his Davy Crockett cap, and we loaded up at Key Foods on miniature Snickers and Hershey’s Kisses. We plopped on our steps, popped open a couple of ciders, and handed out the treats.

When the looping Rocky music was soon joined by the roar of a cheering crowd, we threw on our coats, and stepped outside into the throng framing Lafayette Avenue: The hallowed New York City Marathon had arrived on our front steps.

We watched as the thousands of runners sprinted past, some grinning at the screaming crowd. Dozens sported their countries’ colors. Hundreds proclaimed their reason for running with a charitable organization emblazoned on their shirts. A few ran for another, pushing a loved one along in a wheelchair at a steady clip. Everyone was thrilled to be there, and thrilled for each other. The joy was contagious, filling me to the very brim. I wanted to be a part of that joy.

New York Road Runners hosts a 9+1 program which allows members guaranteed entry into the NYC Marathon. Members must run 9 qualifying races, and volunteer for 1 event, in order to be eligible. I will be attempting to complete the program this year, and enter the 2017 NYC Marathon. Up first is the Run as One race in Central Park on April 24th.

So here’s the goal: Three years after our arrival in New York, and just before my 26th birthday, I will run the NYC Marathon in November 2017.

Ain’t life a treat?