Monday, September 29, 2014

The Journey Begins...

Tomorrow is the official start date of my half marathon training.  This is definitely the most challenging thing I've ever done.  I know it's not going to be easy but nothing worth it ever is.  I know there are going to be days when I want to sleep in.  I know there are going to be days when I'll have to run in the rain.  I know there will be days when I'll be sore. I know there will be days when I want to give up and quit.  I know that I will be tested... mentally and physically.  I know it will be a test of my faith. 

But what I also know is that I will come out on the other side stronger than I thought I was.

"Success is not measured by the heights one attains, but by the obstacles one overcomes in its attainment." -Booker T. Washington

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Running is NOT like riding a bike!

I used to run a lot, though I would never consider myself a "runner." However, when I moved to Florida, that changed.  At first, I thought it was going to be great; beautiful weather, wide sidewalks, and pretty scenery.  When I run, I rarely listen to music.  I like to clear my head and focus on the run.  But who can focus when you're busy running through spider webs, dodging frogs and rabbits and jumping over lizards? And I'm not talking a few lizards...  What used to clear my mind, became stressful.  The thought of going for a run gave me anxiety.  I couldn't take it.   I decided to start running indoors, on the treadmill.  That didn't last long.  I couldn't stand running and not getting anywhere... looking at the same thing (and same people) mile after mile.  Okay, I'll try this outdoor thing one more time.  I decided to run through a different neighborhood. Things were going great... I was enjoying my run That was until I turned the corner and was standing face-to-face with two cranes!  I had never seen a birds, outside of the zoo, that big.  I give up. My running days are over.

Fast forward... I registered for Disney's Princess Half Marathon, which means I have to run... outdoors.  I printed out my training program (I'm using Jeff Galloway's 1/2 marathon training program for beginners) and even though it doesn't start until Tuesday, September 30th, I decided to go for a run this morning to see what I was working with.  Let me tell you... It wasn't pretty! Running is not like riding a bike.  You can't just hop on (or get out) and go. 

On the training program, the first Saturday run is a two mile run, so that's what I decided to do.
Those were the longest two miles ever!  I new I was in trouble within the first few minute but I told myself to run at least one mile before stopping.  Well what do you know?  My shoe lace came untied about 1/2 of a mile in. Thank you Jesus! I had a reason to stop.  I took my time tying my shoe and continued running.  Once I got to one mile, I thought to myself,  'That was only one mile. I'll still have twelve of these to go... What the hell was I thinking signing up for a half marathon?' After "stopping to tie my shoe" a few more times, I finally completed my run.  Did I mention it was only TWO miles?  How am I going to run 13.1 miles when two almost killed me?   Let's just say I have my work cut out for me!