The Goal – Running a Half-Marathon
Here’s the goal – I’m going to run a half marathon in May. If you know me, you’re probably already smiling in skepticism…I forgive you, though I will love laughing in your face come May 30, 2010. Pettiness - a wonderful human emotion :0)
I’ve been telling everyone around me that I will run this marathon, in the hopes that the verbal commitment will shame me into actually doing it – I do my best work under pressure. So now I’m upping the accountability by committing on writing online. I will also document my trials and tribulations for all to see.
The Current Situation
I’m not going to lie – I am not fit. The longest distance I’ve ever run was 10km last Ottawa Race Weekend - and that was a HUGE accomplishment. Course I didn’t win break any records at a 69.46 minutes, though I did break my personal goal (which lucky for me is easy to do when it’s your first race). Sadly since that fateful run, I haven’t consistently exercised since. In December I climbed Mt. Sinai, which is really a hill. It almost killed me. That is my current state of affairs.
Why?
Well that’s easy. I’ll love proving that I can. I like the thought of running a half marathon (I like the thought of running a marathon more…but we’ll save that for another goal, another year, hopefully not another lifetime). I’m also planning on climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro this summer, and would like to enjoy it rather than survive it. This will be my training. I’m also hoping there will be a side benefit of weight-loss; I have 25 lbs of excess weight gained from enjoying all the delicacies of Greece, Turkey and Egypt over the last 8 months. Let’s just say I traveled and kept the souvenirs on me :0) I think those are more then enough good reasons.
How?
Since I’m not an expert, I’m sure this will change a couple of times. The first thing I did was cancel my gym membership that I never use. I’m going to run outside. For now I’m following the beginner training schedule I found on About.com. I’ll keep you updated as I go.
The Prize
Bragging rights. The frequent display of a smug “I told you so” smile. The right to post updates and pictures on facebook, perchance misrepresenting myself as an eternally fit individual who just happens to run on weekends. There will be no hint of the failures on facebook – those I’ll reserve for this blog :0)
Here goes nothing :0)
I believe in you!!! You can do it!! I’m trying the whole running thing…it’s more like jogging in style, but hopefully I can join you on your mission!
hooyah – plus it’ll be Kilimanjaro training for the both of us. You’re way ahead of me though – there is nothing “in style” about how i run :0)
maybe i should run too
You def should!! :0)
Sonia,
I’m willing to run with you. I will get soon my orthodics and then I will start to run seriously for the marathon.
Hello! I want to say thanks for an interesting site about a subject I have had an interest in for a long time now. I have been lurking and reading the posts avidly so just wanted to express my thanks for providing me with some very good reading material. I look forward to more, and taking a more active part in the discussions here.