Running Reflections

Training for a half marathon allows for a whole lot of time to think.  Miles and miles you run, and if you're like me, you're running without the company of others.  And since it's cold, running means many miles on a treadmill.  In the midst of those miles my thoughts flow freely as my feet repeat the same steps over and over.  So here you go... just a few of the thoughts I've had about running while running:

A squinty smile as I approached the finish line
at the end of my 1st half marathon.

1. Why did I think this would be a good idea? 

I ran my first half marathon in 2012 on Thanksgiving Day.  It was a far-fetched new year's resolution.  Honestly, I'm not sure where or why I was interested in running 13.1 miles, because before that January I'd never even run a 5K.  Though I ran occasionally, in my mind running was still more of a punishment to me than an enjoyable form of exercise.  

About halfway through my training I lost all interest and motivation.  I never ran more than 8 miles in preparation for the race on Thanksgiving Day and waited until the day before the race [you read that right] to buy new shoes, making the half marathon the first time I even wore my new Asics.  Luckily, my feet didn't blister at all [praise God] but unfortunately my feet were in such bad shape from wearing old running shoes, that I could hardly walk for a few days.  I think it'd be safe to say that my finishing that race at all was a miracle. 

To be completely honest with you, I have no idea why I thought running another half marathon would be a good idea.  I guess I'd always told myself that if I were to do another one that it'd be one with a nice view... so along came the Seaside Half and like a fool I registered.  Incase you were wondering, my amount of physical activity at the time I signed up for the race was limited to the walking around my classroom all day and possibly a walk with the pups at night... and that was it!  [You won't offend me by asking yourself, 'What was she thinking?']  

But here I am... training once more for a 13 mile run.  It probably wasn't the best idea, but I am more excited this time.  I have trained [so far] much better.  Just so you know, I ran 8 miles on Sunday...which made me incredibly proud of myself.  I also just bought a new pair of shoes.  They'll be here on Wednesday and I will be able to run at least a few times before running the stretch of 30A.   We'll see how this goes, but I think I'm making some good steps to make this a better experience, right?

2. Running is a lot harder than it appears.

Like I said, I have always viewed running as more of a punishment than as something I would willingly do by myself.  Growing up in an athletic family, we played lots of sports but running wasn't one of them.  At some point I remember hearing someone say, "Running is for people who aren't coordinated to do anything else.  Anyone can do it."  I will say right now, I could not disagree more with that statement.

I have never done a sport more mentally exhausting than to train myself for a half marathon.  Running is such a mental game.  Yes, obviously your muscles need to train and you must build endurance, but if you can't mentally find the will to do it, you won't.  If your mind it telling you to stop, you will.  If that little voice inside your head is saying, "This sucks," then it truly does and you won't keep going.  At the same time, if you can get your mind to enjoy it, to long for it, and to enjoy running, you will have a little pep in your steps.  

Training is an interesting experience.  I've never been challenged similarly.  It's a challenge I've put onto myself and although somedays I constantly ask myself why I thought I should do this again, I am enjoying it.  I love to push myself.  Although I know I won't ever be a stellar runner or set any sore of records, I am proud of myself so far and I am excited to run 13.1 miles again.  Wish me luck!