If any of you know me at all, you know how I usually have pretty lofty goals and hardly ever follow through with them. (HA! Sounds like a great friend/family member to have, doesn’t it?) An idealist is what they call people like me. It’s an exciting yet usually pretty disappointing way to live, honestly.
So in true idealist fashion, I did something crazy- yet expected. As I’ve noticed many of my family members (my brother, cousins) and many friends signing up and completing running races this spring and summer, I felt the nudge to give it a try… this summer.
And of course, I didn’t do what a reasonable person would do on their first ever running race. You know, like sign up for a 5K or 10K or a walk-a-thon or… you get the idea.
Nope… not me.
I signed up for a HALF MARATHON. 13.1 miles. Thirteen point one miles. One mile multiplied times thirteen, plus another tenth of a mile. ACK!
Could have been a full, mind you, but still. This is someone who has never ran more than 4 miles at a time in her life. (And that was one time that I did that, back in high school!). Since I started “training” (emphasis on the quotation marks) back at the end of May, I’m not able to run/jog/walk (yes I do need to walk some) a whopping 5 miles now.
Please don’t remind me that this race I happily and gleefully and naively (is that word?) signed up for is more than double that. Please just let me be oblivious to this fact and allow me to be excited that I am able to run more than a mile without wheezing and feeling dizzy. Yes, that’s what I was doing on my first run around the block a month and a half ago. Oh progress, how I love thee!
So… August 14th, it’ll be here before I know it. Only about 6 weeks away. 13.1 miles. A challenge that I really do plan to complete for once in my life (especially also since some money was invested…).
Wish me luck! Well, actually, I don’t believe in luck. Instead, pray for me! And run around your block a couple of times while you’re at it.
Oh and how about leave me a comment, too? (Because, have you seen how many comments I’ve had lately? Probably not since well, there haven’t been any. I know someone out there is reading this. Really, I know (and hope!). Please oh please, show some love and support to this crazy lady!)
July 1st, 2010 at 10:07 am
YAY! Great post. Honestly, it sounds JUST like you :-)
I’m excited to do our family 1/2 marathon. I think it will be fun and challenging, but so rewarding. Keep it up – you’re making good progress!
July 1st, 2010 at 10:13 am
Thanks! I’m still bummed that Mom and Dad and the kids won’t be able to come watch the race :(
July 1st, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Nice job Carrie! You can do it! :)
July 1st, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Oh and love the new template by the way. Adorable!
July 1st, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Thanks! :) I like it too… kinda hippie-ish but oh well, I still like it!
July 5th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Funny . . . idealistic, eh? :0) I do that a bit too. A half marathon is a good, challenging distance without over – doing it first time racing. Have fun . . . and I think I’m gonna go run the block now. :0)
July 27th, 2010 at 12:30 am
Hey Carrie! You’ve got two full weeks of good training left! You can do it! Just focus and plan out your next two weeks so that you can get those runs in with your crazy busy work schedule! Once you write it into your schedule, it makes it a lot more easy to actually have the time to run!
Stay positive- stay focused!