Oh how proud I am of these few numbers on this little piece of paper!
Flash back to May, 2013. Erin picked me up and we headed Downtown to go see our husbands finish their first half marathon. Erin and I still laugh when we think about how rough we were looking that morning, but it really didn't matter, we were going to see our men cross that finish line and celebrate! That's what mattered!
We kind of got a little emotional watching them accomplish this huge victory and crossing that finish line! It was then that I decided that I wanted to have a moment like that one day. So the next year, we all geared up and decided to do it together. It.was.freaking.brutal.y'all!! BUT it's one of my favorite memories with our foursome and we loved it (even if I was slower than a group of turtles running through peanut butter)...
...it was slow, it was painful, but this beautiful medal and my sense of accomplishment made it ALL worth it!!
I had never experienced pain like I did those 72 hours after that first race It was really bad that entire evening following, so I basically grabbed everything from our freezer and covered my legs with them. In that moment I pretty much decided I'd never run again....
...so what's the only logical thing to do? Convince yourself it was worth it and run it again the next year! ;) I even cut over an hour off my time!
But the recovery from my second half was much worse, as I didn't train properly. My body just wasn't ready to go from practically nothing to running uphill for 7 miles straight. It was brutal and I could hardly walk for 3 weeks. So much so that I thought maybe I tore something. Luckily, it all felt normal again soon...but I convinced myself there was no way I'd ever run that particular race again. I even questioned if running was "for me". Since then, I haven't gotten as into running as I used to be. I think I started putting too much stress on myself that the thought of running just kind of annoyed me. The comparison game was another issue "I'm not fast enough", blah blah blah.
BUT!
I was so silly to think like that.
Running is for ANYONE who can get off the couch and make themselves endure it. Running is for anyone who puts one foot in front of the other, no matter how slow!
So...now I think I want to run the race again.
I'm all over the place, I know. I think i'm going to take this week and really pray about the decision. I think it would be fun to run my third half marathon alongside my husband, again! I think it would be a fun challenge to beat my last race time and set a few goals for myself throughout the training process. PLUS it would be a fun excuse to whip out my favorite workout pants! ;)
What about you guys? Any fun exercise goals this year? Any races on your calendars?!
I support you 1000% I don't feel I could ever run a marathon, I just don't have that kind of mental motivation! I'm teaming up with a fellow crossfit member to do a competition in May like you its not my first but shes a better athlete so I may die.
ReplyDeleteLies... we looked AMAZING that day ;) But YES- go for it girl! If you want to challenge yourself- I say go for it. No one else's times or goals matter!
ReplyDeleteYes! You know I would love to hear all about you training for and crossing that finish line ;) You're right though, deciding to run a race or even to run at all is personal. It's a decision you have to make for yourself and no one else, but I think the fact that it's on your mind says a lot. Oh and you know there are other distanced than the half, crazy girl!
ReplyDeleteYay! Love that you're giving it another shot, and it looks like you guys had so much fun. And how cute is the medal from the Pig Half Marathon?! You've got this gurlie <3
ReplyDeleteGreen Fashionista
You need to do it! The medal is worth it! :) My goal is to race again in March.
ReplyDeletethis is awesome! you should totally do it. i have done races before where i haven't trained and i couldn't walk the next day. i have done races where i trained properly and i was fine that night, dancing the night away. i am not the best at training, so it's usually the former. but really, it's totally a personal choice but it sounds like you want to do it, and talking about it here should keep you motivated / accountable for training, plus you've got your hubby alongside you.
ReplyDeleteIf you keep up the local races you could aim then for Disney races ;)
ReplyDeleteKudos to you! Running is so not my thing :( My workout goals are simple this year...just do it! I am focusing on getting a good workout in 5 days a week. If I am able to do on the the other two days that is just an added bonus :)
ReplyDeleteIt is so funny that I always finish a race and am like I'M DYING NEVER AGAIN. And then I immediately go home and sign up for another race. I say DO IT if you want my opinion :) Although you have to train properly this time or you could really hurt yourself!
ReplyDeleteI have a love/hate relationship with running. You can't compare yourself with other runners and their pace. There will always be someone faster and someone slower. Just gotta run for yourself!!
ReplyDeleteMy goal is to participate in a race once a month for the entire 2016 year. Which, in theory was a great idea, until I would out I was pregnant and due in August. So August maybe my month of no runs.
I haaaaaate running with my whole entire being. I've tried to like it. I just hate anything over a mile. So the fact that you did it all those times makes you a rockstar.
ReplyDeleteyou could always get a team together and do the relay! the 4 legs of the relay range in length from 4.5-7ish miles, if i remember correctly. it was a fun way to experience the flying pig without running the half marathon.
ReplyDeleteDO IT. Having a race date is such awesome motivation to train! I am excited to get another half on the books after baby to help push me to get back in the swing! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome and can DO THIS :) I am not a runner but I do enjoy a good brisk walk! hehe! That's gotta count for somethin' right? I can't wait to hear more about your future runs!
ReplyDeleteI know I'm really late reading this post, but I say do it!! You will have a date for the race and a reason to train! I keep doing RunDisney races because they are fun, they have awesome medals, and they give me a reason to train! I have learned that there is no shame in running/walking during it. Once you have that medal/finish the race I promise you won't regret doing it!
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