After experiencing a long week of feeling lousy about myself... for feeling weak and lame and wanting to throw in the towel ... I watched another episode of The Biggest Loser on TV and I was so inspired watching these folks fight through their physical and mental barriers, I decided i needed to do that, too.
If they can do that, then by golly, I can do that!
I woke up extra early on Sunday morning, nervous and excited and thought this: "If I can run this, then I can run the half-marathon!.."
It was a gorgeous morning outside and it was so breath-taking (in more ways than one!) to run through such beautiful scenery!
I started off running at a slower pace, reminding myself that it's just a practice run and if my ham strings act up on me, I can walk as much as I need to ... but within the first mile, I had passed everyone but a couple of runners who started off at the front of the pack and i never saw them. Ever! Even on long stretches of roads, but that was okay, as I had forgotten they were even ahead of me.
As far as I knew, I was leading the group and I felt strong. I felt empowered! And that felt GOOOD!
I finished the training run in 2 hours and 5 minutes and burned nearly 1200 calories. I pushed myself a little, but not like I was racing. Just enough to help me over my previous hump. I finished without even breathing deeply.
I live in such a beautiful area. I kept looking up and seeing my surroundings of the rolling hills and the vineyards and the beauty of it all kept pushing me to keep on running.
I just signed up for the Half-Marathon to take place on May 22nd. I haven't trained like I should, (there were some weeks I only ran one day) but I guess there's no better time than the present. (And I think I'm better trained than I had previously believed).
This coming Sunday morning we're running over the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco along the Embarcadero and back across the bridge. I'm really looking forward to it. I plan to videotape my experience and will post it early next week.
(coach marc's bike)
Hey, by the way: Here's the route I ran! Impressive, huh? :O)
Hey, by the way: Here's the route I ran! Impressive, huh? :O)
6 comments:
The Golden Gate bridge run sounds like fun!
If you can run 11.5 miles, you can run 13.1! And that's a good time, too! You'll have a great race!
Hi Tina!!! I can't wait to run over the Golden Gate Bridge and videotape it!!! The forecast called for rain and now just calls for clouds! (fingers crossed!!) Thanks for your kind words in believing in me in the race. That's May 22nd... and stay tuned!!! :O) I'll keep you posted!
There is nothing like that kind of re-affirmation! I'm so glad you went out and just ran, after feeling low, I can relate to that stuff...
I have always admired your spirit Shawn, and it's awesome to see how much you've achieved in a very short time! And those are gorgeous pics too, the landscape always helps! I'll be rootin' for ya on Sunday :o)
WOW! Just. .. WOW! You are amazing! 11-1/2 miles in barely over 2 hours. Shawn, that is a fantastic pace for such a long distance for someone so new to the sport. You should be SO proud of yourself. And honey... if you can do that, you ARE training for the 1/2 marathon in May already. Silly girl.
Happy Trails! :)
Um, yeah, I'd say that route is VERY impressive! I used to be a runner, now I'm a fast walker. Still miss that runner's high. Congrats on getting out there and realizing you still had it... and that's a GREAT time too, 2 hrs!!!!!!!
WOW! Thanks everyone for your such inspiring, kind words! I just might cut your words out and tape them to the side of my arm so i can read them whenever the going gets tough! :O)
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