Goal: Run A Half Marathon

I am not “a runner” but I have a goal of running a half-marathon.

I've wanted to be a runner for years, but it hasn't always been a conscious desire. In 6th grade, my parents told me something along the lines of, “you’re built like a runner, you’re going to be a runner” when they signed me up for cross-country.

I hated it. I should clarify, I hated every practice. I didn’t want to run through the woods with people I didn’t know, doing something I had never done before. Plus, I wanted to play volleyball, which happened during the same season. I didn’t quit though. I loved being in shape, and I loved the feeling of seeing the finish line. That feeling of your legs going on autopilot to move faster than you ever thought possible. I finished the season out, but I did volleyball the following three seasons.

In 10th grade, I joined the track team. This fit me better. I liked being on a track and being able to see all opponents and the finish line the entire time. I’d set goals in my head of who I was going to let pass me so I could crush them later. It fed my competitive spirit. It also didn’t interfere with other Fall sports that I enjoyed. However, I didn’t do track beyond that year. My schedule got too busy, and I prioritized other adventures and working.

For years, I’ve wanted to be a runner. I want to have a healthy habit that helps in stress relief. I want to be that person that’s in AMAZING shape in their 30’s. I also want to be in excellent cardio shape, just in case I find myself in a movie-like scenario where someone with a chainsaw is chasing me through the woods. Is that just me?

In my adult years, I’ve recognized two major obstacles with my desire to be “a runner”

1. I tend to be too intense. When I go for something, I go ALL IN. It’s helped in other aspects of life, but when it comes to health and fitness, I burn out or injure myself after a few weeks of being too intense.

What I’ve learned: You can’t train properly if you think you’re going to start day one doing miles at top speeds. You have to adjust your expectations and force yourself to pace. It’s okay to fumble through the beginning. Aim for progress, not perfection.

2. I don’t always prioritize myself or my health. If someone needs something done, my plans to workout are the first to be compromised in order to help out. I am the first on my list of priorities to get bumped.

What I’ve learned: You’ve got one body in this life. Take care of it. Make yourself a priority because your time is limited.

I’ve signed up for 5ks over the last few years, but always find myself falling short on the training plan part of it. I haven’t buckled down and prioritized it as a goal. I’ve learned the hard way, running is not something you can just show up and succeed at. (I've attempted that enough times to know it now) It takes consistency. I’ve certainly improved significantly, but I’m still not at a point where I could run an entire one easily.

I was aiming too small to take it seriously as a goal. I wasn't committed.

In March, I signed up to run the Walt Disney World Half-Marathon for November 2020. I signed up with my best friend, who happens to have her 30th birthday that weekend. I needed an accountability buddy for the training, and I really don’t enjoy doing “firsts” solo. I’m not that strong yet.

I also signed up for a 5k “8 pack” 8 local 5k races throughout the year. I figured this would be a good way to stay on track and keep training.

Then, a pandemic hit.

COVID-19 threw a bit of a curveball in some of these plans, but I’m determined to push myself into an uncomfort-zone and train anyway. I don’t know where society will be in a few months, or if travel or events will be possible, but I’m going to prepare for a race anyway.

I know it’s good to keep your “why” in mind when you start something new, because if you don’t you’ll give up when it’s tough. Here are mine:

• I want to be healthy for the long term. I have seen the difference in family members that stay active and healthy through the years, and the ones that need to make lifestyle adjustments to accommodate for not making it a priority.

• I want to manage stress and anxiety in productive ways. No one is a bigger stress ball than I am. I worry about everything always. That stress has a tendency to sit inside of me and come out in the weirdest, most awkward ways, and when I least expect it. OR make me physically feel the stress: eye twitches, headaches, etc.

• Managing weight. No one wants to be or feel overweight for their body type. Personally, I have yo-yoed a bit more over the years than I’m comfortable with. I’m approaching my 30’s. I don’t want weight to be a factor in my long-term health.

Where am I currently in this journey to become a runner? The very start. Right now, I’m writing this post as my headphones are charging for my first outdoor run. I’m writing all of this down in part to burn through some time as I convince myself that I can do this. I’m nervous. I'm insecure with publicly running. I'm out of cardio shape. BUT I'm going to do this.

I want you to know where I’m at for the beginning of this journey, because often we compare ourselves to people that are already successful. I’m here to tell you, I’m starting right now, and you can too. Join me in my journey to become a runner. I’ll post weekly updates and let you in on my struggles and how I plan to overcome them.

And hey, if running isn’t your thing, that’s cool too. Go after the thing you’ve wanted to do for years. Loudly cheer for yourself through the times when you’re most hesitant and quiet those insecurities and fears. You can do this.