A few months back, I signed up for the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon. My thought process was that if I signed up for it and paid for it, that would surely be all the motiviation I needed to train for the run. Nevermind the last time I signed up for this half, I didn't train at all and it was money thrown out the door. This time around is going to be different, right?
Right.
I decided to take a look at the calendar today as I had this nagging feeling that I should have started training by now. And, um....yeah.....I'm a few weeks behind schedule already.
The last time I actually ran a half marathon was two and a half years ago. I wasn't working and had all the time in the world to train. I only had one kid. When I started training, I had a full 14 weeks to train and I was about 20lbs over my goal weight (which I happily lost during the weeks of training).
This time around, I'm working full time. I have two kids. I'm a single parent. I have 8 weeks to train (10 weeks is ideal), and I'm now 30lbs over my goal weight. I have a lot of things counting against me this time around. And I feel like my heart is only half in it because of this.
So I went for a very quick run at lunch. My knee immediately started hurting (due to the extra weight I'm carrying). I couldn't get my darn running app to work on my iPhone. And then my headphones got a short in them. Let's not talk about my heart rate monitor sitting in my closet that needs to be sent in for maintenance.
But I'm determined to do the race. Even if I have to walk more than half the course. Even if I get frustrated that I'm not as fast as I once was or as thin as I once was. Even if I will be constantly reminded of my personal best time that is not within reach this time. There will always be another race to train for next season. And at the end of the day, at least I'm getting my big ol' booty moving again.
And I can't wait for the day that I get that runner's high again!
6 comments:
I was going to say that just walk a bit and then you mentioned it as well - I think there's nothing wrong with doing a half marathon at your own pace and ENJOYING it even if you have a walk a little once in a while.
You can do it brooke! Wish we lived closer and we could run together...i am trying to get into running....it is really hard for me. So far a 5k is as far as i can go but am want to get to at least a 10k.
You can do it! I have no doubt!
You can do it!! What would be the fun in doing it if it was easy right?! You'll have to work for it, but you will be so proud of yourself when you are done. When you've crossed that finish line no matter how fast you've gone, you will feel so good about yourself!! Hell, you should feel proud of yourself for even trying!!! (I'm trying to get myeslf up to 5K right now - don't know that I'll ever be able to do 1/2 marathon)
It is hard to find the time, but if it is something you want to do for you, make the time! Liz and I are doing the couch to 5K program. I am doing a 5K on October 2nd then my next goal will be a half marathon! Take it slow, work your way back up and don't try to compare to previous times! We'll be here for encouragement!
Well at least you lost weight last time you trained! I didn't lose a single pound doing the Couch to 5K, so once the race was over, I gave up and was super discouraged. I really need to just sign up for another, though, because at least I would be exercising! Good for you for signing up. Even though your circumstances are different this time around, you can still do it!! And it'll feel even better this time when you finish that race!
(p.s. I sort of forgot you made a new blog and have been wondering why I wasn't seeing posts from you in my e-mail! DUH. I'll have to figure out how to subscribe!)
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