Run

I've been doing a lot of that lately. Like, a lot more than I ever ever ever thought I could. Dude, I ran a half marathon. Like, without stopping. Seriously.

10-ish years ago a friend and I decided to run track. All I remember is that we joined the team because there were some cute guys on it. I have about 2 memories of the whole thing, and one involves attempting not to die at some hot middle Tennessee track meet, writhing in the infield after running a 400 meter race with period cramps. That was cool. The other is some hot "assistant" (meaning student) coach rubbing a calf cramp out of my leg.

So obviously that had a huge impact on my life.

I always had dreams about being a runner. I was so fast. And it was so easy. Dreams be dreams for sure.

Until one random day when I signed up to run the annual Turkey Trot. About 3 weeks out from it, I decided I had better see if I could actually run three miles without dying. And I could. Not easily, but I could. And not without some pain. But after I did that race, and I was like 23rd (?) in my age group, I decided I was finally going to do it. I would become that girl who runs. So I signed up for a half marathon. And then a second (brave, huh? that second one? Pretty presumptuous I'd say!)

So I started running. And it was really hard at first. I could barely go one mile without stopping. (Apparently the Turkey Trot was a fluke burst of adrenaline.) But I kept up. I loosely followed this schedule. I did allow for two off weeks, meaning not that I wouldn't run, but in case life got in the way. And it did (flu.....). The only thing I changed was I went up to 11.5 miles rather than just 10, for the longest run before the race.

I like, HAD to sit. Seriously.

And I did it. I finished. I didn't walk. I ran it in 1:56 and I was soooooo happy. Well, I mean, after I died a little. Cause it was soooo hard. Like, harder than I imagined it would be. My long runs had been, dare I say, easy? So I assumed the race would be too. But I was keeping a faster pace, and never let it up. It was the hardest thing I have ever pushed my body to do. And I'm about to do it again in 5 weeks....

I will post more about the details of training, and am happy to answer any questions if you have them. I am no expert, but hey, I did it! My next race is in five weeks, and I am back to training fill force. This race is very hilly, so my routes will be now too. And I'm eating clean. Like, 100%. This is new for me, and I didn't even think about what I ate last time. I didn't really care. So here's hoping!

Coming in across the 50 yard line... then my camera died, and my husband didn't get "the shot" :(