Running
I've registered for my first half marathon. As my disclaimer I'll state at one point in the not too distant past, I hated/despised/loathed running. It's hard and it hurts, why would you do that to yourself? I ran my first 5k last year and did... not so great. Granted I didn't put in the training I ought to have and thought it would work out alright. When I began running I did it mostly because it's very exerting and burns a lot of calories; allowing me to keep my not so healthy diet. I'd run 1 - 2 - maybe 3 and call it good. Last winter when I was in school it was really hard for me to go to the gym. It required preparation, a drive, workout and fighting over equipment, followed by a drive and a shower. (aka a lot of time and effort that I just didn't have). So I started to enjoy running because all it required was my running shoes and a step out my front door. I ran with a friend a few times who was training for a half marathon and really enjoyed it. We ran the farthest I had ever gone which was not quite 4 miles. I was stoked, and beat. She ran her half and texted me saying "you could totally do it". I had a few friends at work who were also training for a half, so I decided what the heck and held my breath while I pushed that confirm button. Now being the procrastinator that I am I really didn't start training until about two weeks ago (five weeks pre-race). At that point I could run about 3 without stopping or feeling like I was going to die. Now I was getting to the point where I was starting to enjoy the runs and hitting 5-5.5 and being ok when I got home. I went for my first "long" run last saturday which was 7. It was the worst, most miserable thing I've done (I won't say ever but you get my point). It was all I could do to drag my feet and walk the last block home....ergo lesson # 1: be sure you fuel up before long runs. I had gone to the gym and ran the day before and really didn't eat all that great, my body told me so. My morale was shattered. I honestly was worried, if I can't do seven how am I going to do six more after that. Monday was the make it or break it moment. I did five and fought some serious mental demons the whole way but I did it and I felt good afterwards. This week I've eaten better and taken rest days. I did 8 this morning and felt amazing. I'm beginning to get to that point during the run when you think to yourself "wow, I'm beginning to understand why people do this." I'm now 3 weeks pre-race and am starting to think I can really do this.
New Shoes
