Not Half Bad

It's over

It's done

But really....it's just begun.

There have been blisters..oh so many blisters. There have been sore muscles but I can't say I shed any tears, or pounds for that matter. Mostly, these last few month have been filled with sacrifices. So the big question has to be, was it worth it? For me the answer has to be, without a doubt.

I finished my first half marathon this last weekend. I have run a few 5k's over the years, but can't say that I had been a runner, just a girl that trained for a few runs. My husband and I have been having discussions of late, as to the "why" of races. Why do people do them? What is the motivation? My motivation is a drive to prove to myself that I can. And I did!

Honestly though, the last few days I have been struggling with the lack of elation felt when crossing the finish line. Where were the tears of joy, the feeling of victory? I just accomplished something remarkable, so why don't I feel like it?

As it has happened so many times before, the answer didn't hit me until I started typing. I had accomplished something remarkable, but it was well before the day of the race. Every day that I went out for a run after a full day of work was a victory. Every weekend I left my family at home to go for a long run was an obstacle overcome.

Truthfully, I earned my "Half Marathon Runner" status well before I crossed the finish line. By the morning of the race I had run for hundreds of miles, what was 13 more? The race itself was really a celebration, a chance to recognize the effort put forth to get us there.

I had been expecting something life changing when I crossed that line, but the moment had already found me, every time I laced up my running shoes. Now I'm not just a girl who has run in a few races, I'm a runner who celebrates her success by participating in races.
I can't wait for the next party.

Something of 20

Im still running and running.......and running. No I haven't stuck to my training schedule completely, but not to worry, this girl is still moving her feet. Once I crossed the half way point something kind of strange happened though, I stopped really caring about the numbers.

Im not going to say that I don't track my runs or pay attention to my pace, it's just that at this point.....who really cares. Im running more, Im running faster and my knee feels less likely to fall off my leg. With a little over a month left in training, I would rather focus on the things that will get me to the finish line in one piece. Who am I kidding, I don't care if I end up in multiple pieces, as long as I finish. If I can make it in under 3 hours, that would be great. The closing ceremonies start three hours after the race begins and I would love to be done before all the food is gone.

From here on out, when I update you on my weekly runs, I will focus more on how I feel than the numbers I ran. Hope you don't mind. Stats are great and all but they dont tell you what's truly going on.

Here's a fun fact for instance, as I was getting my cup of tea ready this morning and had a terribly wonderful realization. I was actually excited about my long run of 10 miles tomorrow morning. If any one finds the screw that's come loose in my head, just let me know. I'll see if I can manage 10 miles with my head rattling around.

Kristen

9 of 20

My new shoes

Week 9 was actually last week. I got a call last Friday night that my shoes had come in, so I rushed down on Saturday morning to get them. I managed to get a run in on Saturday and one Sunday. I don't feel like I have put enough miles on them to tell for sure, but so far they seem to be working out. My knee feels good and no new blisters. Happy Feet!

I need some help from you. I need to know-

What's your Power Song?

You know, that song that pumps you up and puts an extra spring in your step. As my miles grow on, I'm finding a need to lengthen my playlist. Right now some of my favorites are:

Shut Up and Let Me Go by The Ting Tings

Here It Goes Again by OK Go

Rawkfist by TFK

Your Love Is My Drug by Kesha(Don't judge, I like the beat)

So what songs do I need to add to my "Running" play list?

Weekly Totals-

• Total Miles- 10.06
• Average Pace- 13.33
• Total Run Time- 2h, 16m

6,7,and 8 of 20

So between my sore knee, bad shoes and a hectic few weeks at work, you could say the training has been a little rough. On a positive note, even with all the set backs, I can still claim victory in my longest run to date; 6.54 miles. Yay Me!

My new shoes are still a few days out so I will need to spend the majority of this week on a bike. I'm trying not to see this as a set back, but an opportunity to strengthen different muscles. I'm afraid of losing ground, but getting the right shoe is a must. For now I.....peddle on.

Week 6 Totals-

• Total Miles- 9.15
• Average Pace- 13.26
• Total Run Time- 2h, 1m

Week 7 Totals-

• Total Miles- 6.62
• Average Pace- 13.37
• Total Run Time- 1h, 30m

Week 8 Totals-

• Total Miles- 8.09
• Average Pace- 12.86
• Total Run Time- 1h, 44m

5 of 20

Week five was a tough one. Last Monday's run was cut short by pain in my knee. I was filled with fear that I may have to stop training or risk a serious injury. After the mental commitment (not to mention the time commitment) of this 20 weeks of training, the thought that I might have to stop was really aggravating. I took a few days off from running and decided that I needed to put a little more focus on strength training. 

I'm happy to report that so for this week, things are looking up. What surprised me the most from my little brake was the negative effects I noticed from my lack of running. All last week I felt lethargic and unmotivated. I had some extra time in the evenings, but didn't feel inspired to taking advantage of it. I can't tell you how many times over the last month that I have thought of all the things I would be accomplishing at home if I wasn't running, but now I'm wondering if that's true. I do have less time, but I feel I'm better equipped to make the most of it when I'm exercising. I'm sure I will need to remind my self of these epiphanies over the next few month, but for now I run on.

Weekly Totals-

• Total Miles- 6.21
• Average Pace- 13.12
• Total Run Time- 1h, 22m

4 of 20

"Some days you gotta dance. Live it up when you get the chance" - The Dixie Chicks

Weekly Totals-

• Total Miles- 15.88
• Average Pace- 13.17
• Total Run Time- 3h, 29m

3 of 20

"Effort is the one strictly undervalued and original contribution we make to this world"

William James, philosopher

Weekly Totals-

• Total Miles- 14.04
• Average Pace- 13.25
• Total Run Time- 3h, 6m
  

2 of 20

I love to take pictures when I go for long runs

In an effort to make it to the finish-line in one piece, I hunted for a training schedule that seamed manageable. I found a 20 week schedule in a book I'm reading called "The Non Runner's Marathon Guide for Women" by Dawn Dais. She is so funny, Im really enjoying her book.
Week two looked like this-

Weekly Totals-

• Total Miles- 11.2
• Average Pace- 13.02
• Total Run Time- 2h, 26m

13.1 Miles

It started with a hand shake, witnessed by two dear friends and one stranger. I would run a half marathon in 2012 and race in our local 70.3 Ironman in 2013. I know what your thinking and I will answer your question with "Quite right, I AM crazy" but there is no going back now is there?

The truth is, participating in an Ironman is a childhood dream. I was lucky enough to grow up on the Big Island of Hawaii and yearly volunteered at an aid station for the Kona Ironman. The entire day of the race was non-stop excitement. We would wake up at 4am to get a good spot on "the wall" to watch the start of the swim with thermoses of coffee and hot cocoa. After all the swimmers were well on their way, we would head to our appointed spots to help and usually stay until the last runner had passed.

The thing that always amazed me, as I handed out cup upon cup of Gatorade, was the extreme variety of participants. There wasn't just one body type or age range running this race, but people of all shapes and sizes. My favorite participant was an older gentlemen that shuffled through our aid station a little after the 12am deadline. He would not "officially" finish, but he was still moving. Ours was the last aid station before the finish line, a few miles out. As this runner was one of the last on the course, a few of my friends and I decided to cheer him on by running the last few miles with him. There were hundreds of people on the side lines cheering him on, maybe thousands. The finish line was deafening. As I ran beside him with my entourage of friends, he said to me "I feel like the President" and I knew exactly what he meant. Ever since that moment, I have wanted to cross that finish line for myself.

I may never go back and run in the Kona Ironman, but I feel like I owe it to myself to take a baby step. Ok, 13.1 miles is technically a lot of baby steps and although I may be crawling for some of them, I will do this thing....I have to, it's already paid for. If you don't mind, I thought I would take you along on my journey. I think I may need proof someday that I really did do it. Plus I might need some encouragement along the way. Fingers crossed that I keep all my toenails!

Kristen