A week and a half ago I finally decided to commit to running a half marathon. Yikes.
I'm excited, but so nervous. This is going to be the longest distance I've ever run. It will be a test of courage, patience and endurance on my part. Though I have a friend running it, we aren't running together. I'll be doing this on my own. It's all up to me to make it through it.
My husband told me I'm a little too dependent in some areas of our life. Sometimes I need to venture out on my own and have some me time. That's hard for me. I really like to have his support 100% of the time, and I don't often choose activities that don't include him. I have to come to accept that if running is something I want to continue, I'll have to do it without him. The biggest reason being that physically he's unable to run a distance like a half.
Don't panic. Deep breath. You can do it alone.
Oh my. I know it's possible, it's been done before. My biggest running inspirations are Kate, Care & Ange. Care ran the Mercer Island Half in March, you can read about it here. She's awesome.
I've gone back and forth on whether I wanted to mention and document my training. I don't like to be the person who sets out with big goals in mind, announcing it to the world, only to fail publicly. I feel like I've done it on here before with my resolutions at the beginning of the year. I haven't kept up on all of them, but that's a post for another time.
I was encouraged my my coworker and given the advice of using Smart Coach through Runner's World to draw up a training plan. I've got a calendar that started May 9th, up to race day on July 11th. I've already completed my first full week of training! I can't tell you have motivating that is. I itch to run, even on my days off. That's a huge improvement for me! I've been most excited about the leaps and bounds my running ticker has made in the column off to the side. I can't wait to hit the 100 mile mark. I still fully intend to live up to my resolution of running 520 miles this year. I can do it!
Here was my first week:
Sunday: Off
Monday: 2 mile Easy Run - Run easy & slow
Tuesday: 5 mile Long Run - Just make it through!
Wednesday: Off
Thursday: 5 mile Tempo Run - Easy warm up, 3 miles @ 11:00 pace, easy cool down
Friday: Off
Saturday: 2 mile Easy Run - Participated in the Bay View Women's 2 mile Fun Run with Mom!
On the schedule this week:
Sunday: Off
Monday: 3 mile Easy Run
Tuesday: 6 mile Long Run
Wednesday: Off
Thursday: 2 mile Easy Run
Friday: Off
Saturday: 5 mile Speed Run - Easy warm up, 2x1600 with 800 jogs, easy cool down
Does anyone else have a big race planned for the summer months! If so, I'd love to hear about it!
5 comments:
Oh congrats!!! Which one did you sign up for? That is awesome!! I am still going back and forth on signing up for Tacoma-Narrows. I had some surgery and cant start training till the end of June, which is kinda pushing it. My hubby doesnt think I should do it. I really hope you keep us all updated on your training!!
Good luck!
You can do it!
Good for you! It will be tough, but it looks like you've got a good start on your training!
I need some of your motivation...a cold has kept me from running for yet another week...
I have to say that when I read "9 weeks" I was thinking something TOTALLY different! :)
Care - It's the Langley Half Marathon here on Whidbey Island. I think this is only it's 3rd year and I like I don't have to go too far from home for it. If you're going to be pushing it that close to the Narrows, I'm not sure I'd do it either. I totally understand. I'll definitely keep my training progress updated on here.
Kate - I'm not sure where this motivation is coming from, but perhaps it's just preoccupying me. Now that I read the title again, I TOTALLY know what you were thinking! No, that's not the case :)
Ashley - Thank you! I'm trucking on through my workouts!
The scariest step honestly was probably signing up! Now you know you're committed and you're putting in the work, so try to enjoy it!
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