Running is my jam. It's my go to fitness activity because there's not much required to start. But running doesn't come super easy to me, and not because I'm prone to injury or anything, but rather I am prone to the lazy.
When I really got into running a couple years ago, it was nothing to get up every morning for a quick run, it was like brushing my teeth. Routine. That's how it has to be with exercise, you have to make it routine, you have to make it something you do, like getting your fruits and vegetables each day or showering once in a while.
I was running all the time, and I started to get a little obsessed and a little mean to myself when I didn't meet my goals. That's when I started running less, because I wasn't enjoying it anymore. It's supposed to be fun, right? You're supposed to hate it a little, but love it more. I didn't, so I stopped. Now I am getting back to loving it.
But I seriously lack motivation sometimes. I've struggled with my weight all my life, but as long as I don't binge and eat like a pig, I maintain the weight I'm at now, even if I'm not comfortable in my own skin. So it's easy for me to just choose sleep or couch time rather than run. Which is beyond ridiculous because exercise isn't just about losing weight, it's about being healthy, fit and (hopefully) living longer.
So I sign up for races. They help motivate me (most of the time - sometimes they don't).
Next month (25th to be exact) I am supposed to run my 4th (fourth?!) half marathon. I never thought I would be a runner or actually enjoy races. But there's nothing like finishing a race, all the emotions crash into me as I stumble over that line. I love it.
Am I ready? No. What is ready, anyway? I have a surprising ability to run a race when I haven't been training (see last half marathon) but it's not smart. I could injure myself. I barely complete it, just surviving. I don't want to just survive, I want to excel. Who doesn't? I want to be good. I want to be better than old me.
This link up is just what I needed (thanks Alyssa and Tracy!) to get my butt into gear. What can one really do in less than a month? I have been running but not long distances and not consistently. I have run one 10 miler in the last couple of months and it was not great.
I have 3 weekends left (shit!) before the race, which means 2-3 long runs. I can do some medium length races during the week and sprinkle some shorter runs in there as well. I won't meet my dream of under 2 hours, but I am confident I can run the whole thing and hopefully do better than my last race.
So that's what I'm working towards right now - running the whole race, and beating my last half marathon time.
Just to recap, for myself:
2011: 2:37:15
2012: 2:04:48
2014: 2:39:15
Wish me luck....
What are you working towards?
YOU GO GIRL! YOU'VE GOT THIS LADY! I'm not training for something per say, just trying to get stronger and more fit! I'm doing a monthly link up too, to keep myself motivation! rock it out sistah!
ReplyDeleteI'm prone to the lazy thing too when it comes to running, so I had to find a really good running partner. That has made all of the difference with my half marathon training. Good luck with your last few weeks of training & hopefully you'll beat at least one of your times! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so prone to the lazy. I used to be so good at forcing myself to run & sign up for races. I haven't done one in almost a year now... I need to sign up for one. I also need to cancel my gym membership because screw the treadmill.
ReplyDeleteDang girl! Your 4th half marathon?!? You are crazy... and awesome! I can't even run a 5k let alone a half marathon. My body would hate me forever if I tried. I am doing cardio today at the gym for the second day in a row... that's big for me! I stop after 2.5 mils though hahaha!
ReplyDelete<3, Pamela
sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com
I have got to get back to just exercising. I am so out of shape right now. I haven't exercised consistently in about a year. I really hate it and haven't found anything that I like exercise wise and have tried a million things. But I have to get back on the wagon, exercise is important to be healthy and I want to be healthy more than I hate exercise ... I think. ;) I did run for 2 years and signing up for races (5ks) helped with motivation, maybe I should do that again.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your half marathon!
You've definitely got this!! 3 half marathons is AMAZING and I know you will kick this ones booty, too! Ps. love the new blog look!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I am trying make myself run but can never seem to enjoy it as much as my running friends do. Love that you are doing your 4th half! I'm so impressed lady!
ReplyDelete~Elise @ highheelsglitteringeyes.blogspot.com
I commend any runner - because it's something that is pretty much you and you alone out there!! You are going to rock this one as you have for all the others!! My goal this year was to run a race and I ran 3! So I'm done lol!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome girl!!!!! I ran one half marathon and it was my first and last.....my body is just not built for long running but I totally commend you! Can't wait to follow you along!
ReplyDeleteExcited for you on this race... work for a good finish time... but more importantly, HAVE a good time :)
ReplyDeleteThis is great! You got this girl, I know it!
ReplyDeleteGet it girl!!!! So fun! You're so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou go girl!
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Kristen! I want to get back into the routine of exercising regularly. I used to love working out, but then things (and me myself) started getting in the way. I hope you surprise yourself and make your best time in this race :D
ReplyDelete~Gianni~
Good luck girlie! That is amazing that you've done 3 already! I am also prone to the lazy and need to get back into a routine.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Go rock the race!
ReplyDeleteI would love to run every day except that my body can't handle it, and... seriously, my hair. I have long, thick hair, and I simply cannot wash it every day (if I dried it, it would take over an HOUR, not kidding.) So, i only wash my hair on running days and I have to space those out. I suppose if I had short hair, I could run every day, but it's not worth it to me. :)
You can totally do it! This month has been so lazy for me but I am hoping to get back into running more. So impressed you ran one without much training.
ReplyDeleteahh good luck girl!!!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl! Love your motivation! I need to get my booty back on track! I've been seriously slacking!!
ReplyDelete<3 Shannon
Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
You're supposed to hate it a little, but love it more.
ReplyDeleteSO RIGHT. No one loves running 100% of the time. But it should be a healthy balance leaning WAY more toward love.
From here until the half (well, for a few weeks until it's time to taper) I think maybe you should just try to get out and run more frequently.. and then see what happens when you get there, ya know? While you're running try to stretch your comfort zone just a liiiiittle bit each time. I definitely don't want to see you get injured on race day and I want you to go in feeling strong and confident!
Thanks for linking up :)
Look at you go! I really wish I liked running. I hate it. I hate always hated it. I dont see myself ever enjoying it...but you never know! Maybe one day I will try again!
ReplyDeleteYou got this! I trained for a half in 6 weeks one time and I am the poster chiled for "not being a runner". Go on a few long runs and you'll be good to go!
ReplyDeleteYour 4th half marathon? That is AMAZING!! I loooove races but I haven't braved signing up for a half yet... I really need to swallow my fear and just do it! Races are the BEST motivation for me to run further than 2-3 miles. You amazing (and beautiful!! I hope you're able to feel comfortable in your skin soon!! xoxo)
ReplyDeletewow!! That is pretty amazing! I was training for a marathon several years ago and I wanted to go to HI and run my race there. I broke my arm and had to quit training. After I was healed I ran again and I remember getting up super early in the morning....loving every minute of it!!!
ReplyDeleterunning is the best, i need to get back at it!! you are killing it!
ReplyDeleteI love the line "You're supposed to hate it a little, but love it more"! So true! While I have runs where I'm smiling the whole time feeling great, I definitely have others where I barely finish. But if you still want to run after those runs, I think it's a good sign! I ran in high school with friends. I did one half marathon and then 2 years later did another. Now I'm doing 3 this year haha. I love doing races but they add up quick so I try to keep myself motivated without one, sometimes works and sometimes doesn't :) Good luck on your half!!
ReplyDeleteWow 2:37 to 2:04 is CRAZY improvement! Even though your training has been less than ideal, you've still been running and I definitely think you will do well at your race. Get in a couple long runs if you can, just to boost your confidence if nothing else. Hope you rock your half, can't wait to hear how it goes!
ReplyDeleteFour halfs is amazing! You're so right about needing to make running, or exercise in general, a habit! I can't wait to hear about it- I know you will do AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteYou're a freaking rockstar! I can't even imagining running a half right now, let alone trying to beat my time. XD Good luck, I'm excited to see how you progress!
ReplyDelete"Im prone to lazy" - basically my problem. Thank god I have some motivation these days and boy have I been running.
ReplyDeleteI've never been a runner - I just don't know how to breathe properly I think. Joey says it sounds like I'm dying for breath and breathing super hard even if we've just started jogging. Lol. Good luck to you, though! Maybe I'll try running again too - lord knows I need to do SOMETHING since I've been lazy as hell lately.
ReplyDelete