I just pretty much maxed out my one credit card. However, unlike last year when I did it, this isn't about drinking myself silly in an effort to forget pain or accept my situation. This time is a celebration! I registered for The Flying Pig Half Marathon. It's the only race, without a lottery system, that I've wanted to do since I started running and never got around to.
I'm so excited for this one! I have plenty of time to train and I'm looking forward to getting back to my favorite distance. Also, it's early May so the weather should be decent.
It feels strange that I'm more worried about affording the travel and the hotel than I am about kicking the crap out of this race! I'm fully confident that this will be a great experience. Plus, hopefully, I'll get to add another "I ran in a really dangerous place and didn't get shot" name to the list...Philly, Baltimore, DC, Wilmington...it seems like if it's sketchy and in the Northeast I've run there.
I've gone through so many positive changes, especially in the last few months, and I'm grateful to have this chance to set a goal and accomplish it. Also, I'm grateful for the people(some I barely know or only know through social media) that didn't give up on me in the dark times and more especially didn't allow me to give up on myself.
Can't wait to get that little piggy medal placed around my neck...you know, in 6 months. Ha!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Hmmm
Change is scary. Change is frustrating. Change is exhilarating. Change is confusing. Change is necessary.
Sooo, I've been thinking about change. How the good majority of people try to find a spot where they are comfortable and then try to maintain that, but not athletes. We aim for change on a daily basis, whether it be an extra five feet on a run or 2 more reps pressed out in a gym. Constant change and improvement is the goal.
Are we wired different? More accepting of failure on those rare occasions we just...can't? Do we have a mental strength that most don't want to try for?
Yes, maybe and if you're going to be dumb you gotta be tough.
Here's to another chance to try and make those changes positive and huge!
Sooo, I've been thinking about change. How the good majority of people try to find a spot where they are comfortable and then try to maintain that, but not athletes. We aim for change on a daily basis, whether it be an extra five feet on a run or 2 more reps pressed out in a gym. Constant change and improvement is the goal.
Are we wired different? More accepting of failure on those rare occasions we just...can't? Do we have a mental strength that most don't want to try for?
Yes, maybe and if you're going to be dumb you gotta be tough.
Here's to another chance to try and make those changes positive and huge!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Ego in the Backseat
I've done it! I finally signed up for another race. My second of the year. This might be an accomplishment for some people, but considering I was doing 15-20 races a year for the 3 years before my life went pear-shaped it's really disappointing.
That being said, I'm really excited! I've done this race before and failed miserably... just a 5-miler and I did 12-something miles. Granted, it's the last weekend in December and my asthma destroys the minimal running ability I do have during Winter. Going from my normal pace to that was disappointing to say the least.
I had conflicting thoughts about signing up for this. It's still going to be cold and hilly and maybe slightly snow covered like the last time and that could be setting my ego, and possibly my race outlook for next year, up for a huge let down. Then I flipped it and applied my new positive attitude. Yeah it's going to be cold and hilly and maybe slightly snow covered, but I have two months to train, I'm physically stronger than I was last time and what might be most important, I'm mentally stronger. Ok, maybe not in relation to my running. I have doubts there that haven't surfaced in a long time. But in general, I'm more positive about life and my abilities to overcome any challenge.
So, Dec. 29th and that stupid hill at the beginning, and consequently, being an out and back, at the end as well, I'm coming for you.
That being said, I'm really excited! I've done this race before and failed miserably... just a 5-miler and I did 12-something miles. Granted, it's the last weekend in December and my asthma destroys the minimal running ability I do have during Winter. Going from my normal pace to that was disappointing to say the least.
I had conflicting thoughts about signing up for this. It's still going to be cold and hilly and maybe slightly snow covered like the last time and that could be setting my ego, and possibly my race outlook for next year, up for a huge let down. Then I flipped it and applied my new positive attitude. Yeah it's going to be cold and hilly and maybe slightly snow covered, but I have two months to train, I'm physically stronger than I was last time and what might be most important, I'm mentally stronger. Ok, maybe not in relation to my running. I have doubts there that haven't surfaced in a long time. But in general, I'm more positive about life and my abilities to overcome any challenge.
So, Dec. 29th and that stupid hill at the beginning, and consequently, being an out and back, at the end as well, I'm coming for you.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Perseverance
I was reminded the other day that anything worth having doesn't come easy. There will be struggles. There will be setbacks. The naysayers will come for you. We just have to stick to our plan and to our guns and we will succeed. Trying, not even necessarily accomplishing, to reach your goal can be enough to drive us forward toward bigger and better things. Striving to be the best we can be and make the most out of the gift that is a new day will get us to where we need to be. Persevere.
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