Goal Update: Run a Half Marathon

If you've read my previous posts about starting to run, and wanting to run a half marathon this year, I've got some updates...

This year has been derailed in a lot of ways (what? ... 2020?...nooooo...) from COVID-19 causing the world to be more cautious and social distance, to cancelling any pre-determined travel plans, to losing my full time steady corporate job, to deciding to move. Nothing this year has gone according to plan. This goal is one of many on that list.

The goal ultimately got derailed for me when we found out I'd be losing my job and we decided to move (we've always taken on more than sane people should) and I focused on packing up our old house, and trying to decide on my next career move.

In the current housing market, it was pretty competitive, so we needed to be ready for anything at any time. It was all consuming. Then, once we moved, my focus was on settling into a new place and renovations. Which, unfortunately, is still going on. (and the biggest renovation will likely still be going on until the end of March)

Other factors that came into play: being in a new town/neighborhood and general unfamiliarity with where we are- specifically finding flat enough ground that I felt comfortable running with Dobby.

Then, the WDW half marathon announced they were no longer putting on the event in person and there was a virtual option. Frankly, if I wanted to run a half marathon through my neighborhood, not only would I have done it, but I wouldn't have paid money to do so. Part of what motivated me in doing a half marathon there was there would always be something to look at, and people would be in costumes, and all of the things...

Was I disappointed?

Yeah.

In the grand scheme of things though, I'll hopefully have another chance to do the WDW Half Marathon and it'll be when it's safer. I'll be fully settled into other life decisions and able to truly focus on that goal.

For now, I'm not forgetting about that goal, but more so putting it on the back burner while I tend to more pressing issues, home renovations, and finding an area nearby that I feel comfortable running in. (not too many hills) It'll happen, just not in the timeline I wanted it to, and that's okay.

It's easy to get down when things aren't happening the way you wanted, or in the time you wanted, BUT I've found that it's better to be realistic with yourself. Be flexible in your goals, timelines, and expectations.