Well, it has been mentioned that people may not care to read my Facebook status updates about running. I am a working wife and mother of two beautiful girls. I have been overweight for the majority of my adult life. About 2 years ago I decided to join my love for Disneyland with my desire to get in shape. I signed up to run the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon.
Keep in mind I have never been a runner. I figured it shouldn't be that hard to start running right? I mean you just get shoes and you go. Hah! That is a good one. As most runners know there is a little bit more to it mentally and physically than just putting on shoes and running. And of course the simple way is not how I can do most things.
I suppose I can thank my mother for the wonderful OCD tendancies. I decided I should read about how to train. I researched running styles, training plans, all things running. Thankfully I have a level headed Husband who pointed me back to the simple fact that reading about running will not make actual running any easier. So I finally put the books down and started running/walking.
I knew that completing a 1/2 Marathon is a big deal. That is after all 13.1 miles. I spent the next 8 months "training" loosely for that race. As much as I knew it needed some dedication I still wasn't committed enough to do all the training the plans called for. I have a family and full time job after all. I was so paranoid about the time limit, in theory 16 min/mile sounds like so much time, I mean you could walk that fast and still complete it right?
So, I went into the race with the Jeff Galloway mindset of run/walk and get it done. I had never fit in a longer training run than 6 miles, so I was pretty excited when I hit mile 7 and realized that I had now gone further than ever before. However, by mile 8 I had such bad blisters I had to alter my running style and walked most of it. By mile 12 I realized I was actually going to finish and do so in the time allowed. I had to hold back the tears of joy because I already couldn't breath, crying would not make that any easier. It wasn't a record breaker, I think my pace was a 13:30ish/mile, but I wasn't last and I was going to get the medal! It was starting to dawn on me that I deserved to be proud of myself, I accomplished it on my own and met my goal.
That race started my addiction to races. I was still not as focused on the running aspect but I was addicted to the thrill of the race atmosphere. I have never considered myself a "competative" person. I don't need to be in the lead, normally. However, after numerous 5K's, three 1/2 Marathons, and a 10K I am starting to think that maybe a run/walk attitude is not good enough.
I am really trying hard to start running with no walk breaks. It is so cathartic to get out of my own head and start just letting thoughts flow as my feet pound. I tend to get lazy on these colder winter mornings and I hit the treadmill more than I would prefer, but I keep reminding myself that I am running/moving and that is what matters.
So, as I prep to complete my 4th 1/2 Marathon, first one with my twin sister, in 12 days I am getting excited about the new phase of my running. I am not really ready to run with no walk breaks. However, I feel confidant that by March 23rd I will be ready to take on the Hot Chocolate 15K with a full run. Will I keep up with my wonderful Hubby, probably not, but I love starting with him and having him at the finish line to cheer me on that last little bit!
Stayed tuned, this is the place I will try and update what I am learning from my running.
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