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If you have “liked” my Facebook page, or if you saw an allusion to it in my Project 365 post this weekend, you know that I signed up for a half marathon.
*cough* A half. Marathon. That’s 13 miles (plus .1, but who’s counting?).
So, here’s the deal. I kept seeing all of these people on Facebook talking about signing up for a half. And I started googling to see what was coming up in the area. I started reading about them, and some looked really intimidating. And I mentioned on my page that I was thinking about it. OF COURSE, everyone said I should go for it.
I’m not sure why…it could be that y’all truly believe in me, and that’s awesome. It could be that no one else really has a stake in whether I do it or not, and it doesn’t really matter to anyone else if I do or not, and Saturday mornings in the fall will come and go for people, whether I try to run 13.1 miles or not. And that’s awesome, too. That’s what the internet is for, right?
So, in a fit of self-motivation (or delusion), I signed up for the See Jane Run half marathon in Wichita, in September. Roughly 16 weeks from now.
For the rest of the night, I was jittery, and excited, and I immediately posted on Facebook that I had signed up.
Then I woke up the next morning a little bit sick to my stomach. The more I thought about it, and the more I mentioned it, the more panicked I became. I actually laughed out loud when I told my sister-in-law and brother. Because really, it felt completely ridiculous to say out loud. The longest I’ve ever run, in the 32 years I’ve been on this earth, is five miles. FIVE.
I scrounged the google for different training plans, and settled on one. One that made the jump in mileage from week to week, until, 9 or 10 weeks from now, I was supposed to be running 12 miles. I started doing the math in my head (maybe something I should have done BEFORE signing up, but no one will ever accuse me of being patient), and I figured out that, given my running speed (or lack thereof), I’d be in the race for at least three hours. Running for three hours. Or more.
It all came to a head on Saturday, when I took the girls to the track and attempted to run the first “long run” of the training, four miles. I was completely overwhelmed before I even started. I knew it was all mental but all I could think about was where in the world am I going to run 10 miles? Or 12? And when? And HOW?? In the middle of the summer?! WHAT WAS I THINKING?!
I finished the four miles, but I was beat up by the end of it. And down. It was a total crisis of confidence and I was kicking myself for telling everyone that I had signed up, because now I either had to try (and possibly fail) or back out and let everyone down.
I posted this picture after I got home, and once again, y’all told me I COULD do it. Leigh Ann, who just ran her first half marathon this spring, pointed me in the direction of her training plan, and I started to calm down. She also answered a million questions I had, and started to calm my fears a little.
I feel better about it. I know I need to take each mile as it comes, and worry about each run each week, not THE run. I know that I can finish. I don’t know how long it will take, or how much of it I’ll have to walk, or if anybody else I know will be there with me when I do it. Worst case, the course will be open for four hours to “accommodate walkers”, so at least when I DO cross the finish line, there will still be people there. So that’s something.
How many of you have run a half marathon? Do you have advice for me, like how to not die at mile 10?
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I told everyone last year that I was going to do a FULL marathon, like this month. Clearly, I am not doing it. I haven't run in years. Just to say, there is no shame in backing out.
BUT, you, my friend, you CAN absolutely do this. You have a plan and lots of support, you will rock it!
Ha! So, you give me permission to give up? 😉 Thank you for believing in me, Alison.
All those feelings are totally normal! You know you'll have a huge cheering section online. Who cares if you walk some? The fact that you are choosing to do this is what makes it incredible. You're going to feel so amazing when you finish. (And don't get down when you have tough runs. They happen to all of us.)
You're absolutely right. And it will feel amazing, whether I walked some or not, to be able to say to the world that I DID IT.
I believe that you have within yourself to accomplish this physically and mentally. I mean, I know what you've survived and accomplished already, so this is absolutely doable. (My typo was "physically and dentally" so I guess if you had too, you'd chew your way to the finish line?)
I could totally do that…I'll probably be starving by the end, anyway. Win-win!
Greta, you so got this!!! Everything you are feeling is normal. Trust me, that's exactly what I've been feeling. My first half marathon is in July, right in the middle of summer. I'm weeks away, and the most I had run when I started my training last month is 5 miles just like you. But now, I'm at 9 miles (well, I'll be running 9 this week). I got through the 8 miles on Sunday. I didn't think I'd make it, but I did! And so will you! Don't worry, you are going to do great!
Yay, Jackie! I'm excited to hear how yours goes, and how the last few weeks go for you! And thank you for the support….it really means so much.
WOW.
I am sending you all my running vibes – which is ALL i have since I haven't used any on myself.
p.s. hats off
Ha! Thanks for the vibes. I'll take them all, thankyouverymuch. 😉
I am so excited for you! And you can do this! I swear it! You can totally go from 5 miles to 13 miles in 16 weeks. When I trained for my first half, I started with 5 miles and then increased my miles by 1 mile every two weeks and then "tapered" the last month to give my muscles a rest. I am not a great runner by any means but I have done several halfs and one full this way. I am rooting for you and I know you will rock this!
That's amazing! I don't think I'll EVER do a full, but that's perfectly okay with me. 🙂 Thank you for the support, Ilene….I definitely need it!
I am just starting out on m running journey and have a long way to go. But in the short time that I have done it, I have seen that my body can adjust with every little push I give it. I know that you will be able to do this, Greta!
Thank you, Kim! And you're right…everything I've done so far is the direct result of little pushes. EXACTLY. (I'm tucking that away because I know I'll need to remember it when I think too far ahead)
I have no doubt you will kill this
Then you are doing better than I am. 😉 Thanks, Leighann.
I have never ever ever run a marathon. But I'm proud of you for going for it!
Thank you, Tracie! Me neither. 😀
Well the fact that you are even doing it is inspirational to me regardless of HOW you do it..
Oh, thank you. That means a lot.
People who run fascinate me. I used to run a mile a day about 4 times a week in college just to work off all the beer. I ran on an indoor track. I haven't been able to replicate that, although I tried. After E was born, the hubs and I trained for a 5K. I hated it. HATED. My best friend (who had more of an aversion to running than I did) ran the Chicago Marathon a couple years ago. She trained her ass off. During the marathon she started texting me that she wanted to quit, I talked her through it. My words? "I QUIT THINGS. I AM THE QUITTER, NOT YOU." And she finished.
I have faith (because I follow you all over social media) that you are so ready for this. YOU CAN DO IT.
Thank you, Katie, truly. I have hated running all of my life, until I started as an adult (last year) and wasn't being forced to do it. Before that, the last time I ran was during a softball game, or in middle school track (I was more of a not-very-long jumper). Some days are rough, but most days, I feel good and when I'm done, I feel GREAT. We'll see how this goes. 🙂
You are psyching yourself out. We told you we believe in you because we do! And we encouraged you to do it because we know how awesome you will feel after you accomplish something you thought was impossible! Buck up girlfriend, you've got this even if you don't know it yet.
Thanks for the kick in the pants, Jennifer. I needed it. 🙂
I think just taking it mile by mile is a good approach. I'm not a runner, unless I'm being chased, so can't give any specific advice but I'd just keep thinking about how much closer you will be to your 500 goal. With this extra training you may meet your goal early. You can do it!!!
Yes! I keep thinking that, too. I was on my way to meeting it early anyway, and this will only help. Thanks, Nicolette!
I KNOW you can do this. If I did it? You can do it. Because this post, everything you said in it, is exactly how I was feeling when I started. I went for a 4 mile run with my husband before we did Tough Mudder, and I was like "How am I going to run 9 more???" It is so daunting, but like Angela said, trust your training plan. I know it looks hard to jump up a full mile the next week, but the short runs you do in between will keep you at a level of fitness that you can do it. The training is the hardest part, and it get monotonous and discouraging. But the event itself will be incredible and you will be SO proud of yourself.
Yes, I really think it's the training that's making me doubt myself. Which seems so weird. Thanks for listening and being there for me, Leigh Ann!
Well, you now I've done one. And so that means that I KNOW you can do it! I would say also find a 10K race to run before hand as well, if you can find one near you.
I had only run 10 miles before I did mine (ONLY! ha!), just meaning I never ran 13 before and I never have again! And you may have some hiccups during the race (you know, like it rains the entire time *AHEM*) BUT you WILL do it and you WILL finish. I know it seems daunting right now, trust me, and you DO have to believe in yourself and we are all here to support you!! xoxo
Ewww…I really hope it doesn't rain the whole time. But, I hope it's not hot either. Can it be a breezy 60 degrees please? HAHAHA. It seems totally daunting, but it really does help to hear from all of you guys that have done it (and survived)!
You are awesome. Everyone told you that you can do it because we have seen what you have done so far, because we believe in you, and because you inspire us, and if you can do it, so can we. (That last one is totally my reasoning. Because yeah. I get it.)
Your race looks AWESOME. I just ran a race called Sole Sister which was a 5K for women only complete with a hug station and a chocolate station and a high five station and a water station manned by men wearing cheerleader outfits. It was awesome and so wonderful to run with all the women. It looks like that is the type of race you have chosen for your half! Way to go!
What I didn't tell you about my half is that it is actually a "twosome" race, meaning I run a 5K in the evening and then a half twelve hours later in the morning. … assuming I can manage to train for the half!
I know, doesn't it look awesome! There were closer (in distance) and farther (in time) races, but this one was one I could actually see myself doing and….EEK….enjoying??
OH MY GOODNESS, Laura! You are ambitious! But you're going to rock them both!!
I got teary reading everyone's comments. That's partially what running does to me, but too, you obviously have some great supporters.
I ran a half before having kids and I'm glad I did. I'm toying with signing up for one in September too to get myself running again. I did the 10 and 1 plan where you run 10 minutes and walk 1. It's a good way to give your muscles a break on long runs. The minute goes by really quickly. I found it worked.
Good luck! You'll be hitting your 500miles goal in no time!
That sounds a lot like Couch to 5K, which is definitely what got me running last year! Thank you, Kamerine!
I know you can do this, Greta! You're going to rock it. I didn't train more than 2 miles when I was training for a 5K, and everyone told me I could ramp up for the race and sure enough, I did. And YOU WILL too!
Thanks, Kristin! It seems so….challenging, but everyone's support really, really helps.
You can totally do it! I signed up for one and thought I would die. And it was so great. I've run 3 altogether and I will totally be here to cheer you on. You can do it!
It really does help to hear about everyone who has done them, and survived! Thank you, Robin!!
Greta, I think by the time the half marathon comes around you'll be ready to rock it. We all have our bad days, the days we doubt our abilities… but I believe in you!!! 🙂 You go girl!!!
Thank you, Susi!! It means a lot. Honestly, it's what gets me through some days. 🙂
You are on the right track, Greta! I am not a runner but I admire people who does. You can do this and I will be rooting for you from the other side of your world 🙂
Thank you, Maureen! That means, in the middle of the night when I'm having evil self-doubting thoughts, you'll be rooting for me. 🙂
Ive tried running and did about 30 seconds before I felt like I was going to pass out. Maybe I'll try again after I lose some more weight. Good luck!
Hey, 30 seconds is 30 seconds and it will help you lose some more weight. Walk a bunch, run a little. It works! Thanks for your support!
Brave. You are BRAVE. (And that = awesome.)
I hope that, in this case, brave=awesome and not brave=stupid. At least 80/20? 😀 Thanks, Keely!
Oh, I remember all the doubt I felt before running my first 10K and then my first 1/2. But I think you will surprise and amaze yourself with what you can do. Following a training program is good, but remember you can make it your own too. It's hard sometimes w/four little kids to follow a program, so don't worry too much if you don't follow it exactly. I kind of mashed up diff. programs & made my own. I am so excited for you!!! You can totally, 100 percent do this!!!
Thanks, Angela! I keep thinking about how much you've done and that inspires me a lot!
You'll do it, you are awesome!
Oh, thank you for your faith in me!!
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I'm really proud of you, for whatever it's worth.
Girl – you're my hero for even THINKING about running a half! I can't even imagine running down to the grocery (and it's less than a mile away)! Whether or not you end up doing it (and let me be the first to say that no-one's gonna hold you to some plan or post that doesn't feel right anymore), think how far you've already come!
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