To start off: I'm by no means a professional runner, nor a coach,
or anything extraordinary. I honestly don't like to label what I am,
however...I wake up before most, drink my coffee, tie my laces, and move
forward...steadily. I suppose that makes me a runner, right?
It all began at the end of 2012. Turning 30 was creeping upon me,
and I felt an overwhelming urge to become a runner. Unconsciously I probably
desired the health benefits, but I mostly wanted to prove to myself that I
could achieve the goal of running a half marathon. There is something about
that number: the big 3-0. Well, whatever it may be, over the past 5 years
running has boomed in this country. In 1990 the estimated half marathon
finishers was 303,000. In 2012, that number jumped to 1,850,000!!(http://www.runningusa.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.details&ArticleId=333)That's
HUGE!
In January 2013, with the hubby in a leg brace (broke it in
December), I signed us up for the Disneyland Half Marathon. Our race is September
1st...which I thought to be plenty of time to train.
Before all this running nonsense, I was, and still am, a fit
person. I frequented my gym at least 4 times a week, participating in yoga and
pilates with 30 minutes of pre/post cardio. That being said, running is a league
of its own. I was completely unaware of the level of endurance needed and the
use of muscles/tendons I was unaware existed prior. One of my first timed runs
was (February 27, 2013) 3.30 miles, average pace: 12:10, Total time: 40:09. My
thoughts: Well, crap! That’s a far reach
to my goal of running a half marathon in 2 hours.
