Running

I ran my first half-marathon on 2.19.11. This has been a goal for a while…although a seemingly unattainable one. There was no big race day filled with race bibs, men dressed with inappropriate running attire, or bagels. Just me, a goal, “my favorite” cheering me on, a good playlist filled with worship jams, and let’s not forget my new best friends…9.5 Brook’s running shoes…who remain constant even after a beating. 

I trained for 12 weeks…even through Christmas. I was determined.  

The Chad says I’m now a runner. But if you saw me running the 13.1 miles, you would disagree. More like a speed walker with a bum hip. 

But I did it. I finished. 

The most important thing I tell myself (not just in running, but in life): “Whatever you do…keep moving.” Obviously stated…you’ll never finish if you stop. 

Here’s the training schedule I followed (note: it is only a 10 week schedule, but I learned halfway through that my shoes were too small and it I had to repeat week six 2 additional times):

http://www.marathonrookie.com/support-files/10weekhalfmarathonschedule.pdf

I PROMISE if you have the slightest determination to run a half-marathon…it is possible. I have done it and lived to tell about it.  

It’s funny, I have friends who run 2 and 3 marathons a year. They are natural runners. I, however, am not. I have always professed to be a “3-mile girl”…no more. 

Now, I’m a “13-mile girl”…no more!