#trainingforahalf

This has become a common hash-tag for my Twitter account. (Yes, I gave into another form of social media...)

I know what you're thinking; "why in the world would she want to run a half marathon?!" Trust me, I asked myself the same question today during my six mile run. This is what I have come up with...

I am stubborn.

That's it; that's the simple and most explicable answer - I'm truly stubborn.

Where did it all begin? Well, I ran track in high school and ran my first 5K (3.1 miles) while living in Florence and got hooked! I love the way it makes me feel. And, if I'm being 100% honest, I love the free t-shirts to show off my accomplishments. For years I have been saying that I want to run a half marathon (13.1 miles). Why? Just to say that I did. To prove to myself that I can. Oh, and of course for the free t-shirt and medal (everyone gets a medal)! But, really, that's all it ever was for me - just talking about it and never putting it into action.

This all changed this past year when I met this girl who has also wanted to run a half. We tried to find a race that we could both run together, but things never worked out. I figured I could run one by myself and began searching for a race. The race in Nashville caught my attention since Keith's family is near that area. I saw that the race is at the end of April. After finding a basic training regiment off a credible running site, I quickly realized that I was already 3 weeks late in beginning my training. Given this time frame and the fact that I should have been running 4 miles a day comfortably even before beginning the training plan, I realized I needed to get my butt in gear and start running.

That's just what I did. I bought myself some running pants (this was motivation in itself because they aren't cheap), put Connor in his winter gear, strapped him in his jogging stroller, and hit the trails.

I started by running 3 to 4 miles a day for the first couple weeks and then started getting into 5 and today 6 miles. I will say that I can comfortably run 3 miles without feeling too terrible. However, today, while running my 6 miles I will admit that I had the same thought you all have - I am crazy for thinking I want to do this!! I kept going though and finished my 6 miles. And, I did that in 1 hour which is a 10 minute mile while pushing a stroller. (If you've never run while pushing a stroller then you are truly missing out on a good workout!) I felt great afterwards and actually began looking forward to another run tomorrow!

The only thing that got me through my run (with the help of water and a package of GU) was pride and stubbornness. I have always been one to push and refuse to disappoint myself.

So, why am I sticking with this goal of mine?

I'm doing it for me.

Questions: What goal do you have that you've been thinking about for a long time but haven't started? What motivates you?