Training

About a month ago, I got a wild hair to sign up for a half marathon.  I had been visiting the gym regularly, and felt that my physical aptitude was greatly improving; therefore I needed a challenge.  I also may have been influenced by a book I had recently read titled; Wild by Cheryl Strayed.  It’s an excellent read, and it motivated me to try something that I found wildly intimidating.  I ran a 5K a couple of years ago, and was so impressed that I ran the entire 3.2 miles (without any training), but in all honesty I couldn’t wrap my head around a marathon, or even a half marathon.  13.1 miles of straight running…that’s hours!  I could barely make it on the treadmill for 30 minutes.

Picture it; I’m sitting in bed wasting time online.  I find a Halloween Half Marathon in Salt Lake City, almost 12 weeks away (the length of most training schedules), and mainly a downhill course; a moment of spontaneity later and I was registered.  Uh oh!  Better start training. 

I found a training program I liked, and have been keeping to it ever since.  Running is not easy for me, and up until fairly recently not something I particularly enjoyed.  However, I think those who run are amazing, and have always wanted to join this elite group.  I bought my first pair of “proper” running shoes, inserts, and special socks.  I’m basically a professional now…ha ha ha.  It is getting easier, but it is amazing the amount of time it’s eating up, and I’ve had several rough running sessions (“if it was easy, everyone would do it”).  But, and this is a very big BUT, I am enjoying it.  I have never sweated so much in my life, and there are times when I want nothing more than to sit on my butt and watch TV, but I actually miss going when I’m on my rest days.  That’s a good sign…right?

I’m learning so much; running is not just about building up endurance.  There is a multitude of information about diet, training methods, and the do’s and don’ts on race day.  I can’t believe how much goes into it!  And I will tell you this; I can definitely tell when I’ve made poor food choices, because I can barely make it through my miles.  Yeah…birthday week was really tough.

Anyway, I’m really looking forward to it and hope that I can survive the training.  Summer registered as well, and it will be so nice once she’s living here and we can motivate each other (I fear it’s going to be difficult when it gets cold…assuming that happens).  

I’m sure I’ll have some horrific stories to share as I continue on this journey...