It’s been nice and all, these past couple weeks of simultaneously watching “Project Runway” marathons and watching my ass get softer. But now I’m ready to get off the couch and tackle a new challenge. And that’s I why I’m signing up for my very first running race: a half marathon.
OMG, y’all.
I’m a moderately active person. I ride my bike. I walk my dog. I’ve hiked all over the world. But running? No. I have asthma and shin splints and an intense fear of tiny shorts.
But I also have this bizarre desire to invite the things that scare me most into my life.
So, taking a tip from Tim Gunn, I decided to make it work.
I completely changed my running technique so I no longer get shin splints. I managed my asthma with ridiculously expensive inhalers. And … I haven’t been swayed to the tiny shorts side yet.
I still don’t know if I can complete 13.1 miles — like, ever — but it’s worth a try. I can’t reach the finish line if I never start.
Right now I’m conditioning and using a slow but steady training program, but I’m also really enjoying the parts of running that have nothing to do with running whatsoever. Like making running playlists for my iPod. Or checking out running shoes on Zappos.com. Or going to online forums and chatting about running with other people who aren’t running.
My overall goal is to become Gabrielle Reece.
I already know how to play volleyball, so it shouldn’t be hard.
And while I wait for the Gabrielle Reece thing to happen, I’ll be busy messing around with this cool tool, which I found yesterday. It’s a site full of readymade running playlists and songs with pace times. (I like that it has a karaoke section. You know, for those times you just gotta run AND sing.) I’m too embarrassed to reveal what’s on my running mix now, but it might be of the Enrique Iglesias-featuring-Pitbull variety.
Have any of you completed a race before? What was the hardest part of your training? Am I completely insane?
9 Comments
Before I was a hiker I was a runner…. and am still occassionally. Being Forest Gump, I do everything that is in vogue and in the 80’s running and Jim Fixx was in.
I have done many 1/2 marathons. Steady and sure wins the race. You definitely can do this.
Which one will you do?
Maybe I’ll train with you! I did a walking 1/2 marathon in S.F. a few years ago. It actually turned out to be 18miles … long story…
Let me know.
Love ya
E
I’m aiming for the Rock N Roll Half in Indian Wells on New Year’s Eve. I’d love to train with you!
You can do it! I did my first one in January with asthma and shin splints too! As for the asthma, just takes training slowly … to condition the lungs properly. Don’t rush anything. I had more trouble training my lungs than I did my legs, actually, so I took an extra month of prep. And as for the shin splints, stretching and icing are key. You already know this, I’m sure. I’m just here to remind you that NO, you’re not crazy! Good luck! And have fun!
Yeah, Maggie! I’ve done tons of races and I know you can finish. Just stick with your training, start slow, and you’ll do great! I’ll love hearing about some of your training here. I’ll be good for a tip or two if you’re interested, I currently coach cross country for Palm Desert high school. I won’t be at the R & R half, though, because I think it is outrageously expensive. If you like it enough you want to do it again, maybe I’ll see you at the Palm Springs half marathon in February.
Maggie, that is awesome! I have registered for my first half marathon as well and just started my training mode! I am doing cross training, right now I am up to (only 2 miles running), but will be bumping it up to 3 miles soon. I am also doing Bikram Yoga, bike riding (20 mile minimum trips) and probably when it cools down do more hiking. I plan on bumping up my mileage slowly for the running part. I know you can do this!!
Congratulations, Maggie!!! You are, as always, a true inspiration!!!
Have you looked into C25K? It’s an acronym for Couch to 5K, and it’s a plan that is designed to get you off the couch and running 5K in about two months. As far as I can tell, not having been able to bring myself to try it yet (asthma, ankle and foot problems, knee problems), it seems to work; a number of others on the weight loss program I am on swear by it and have been really successful. You may already be past the beginning part, too, but the overall plan is pretty cool! http://www.c25k.com/
Maggie, in 2000 I was producing a monthly TV program for the Arthritis Foundation. One of their fundraisers was to compete in the Honolulu Marathon. I got swept up in the enthusiasm and decided to try it.
I raised the funds and made it my goal to complete the coarse. I did it… In more then nine hours! But I did it and setting a huge goal like that and completing it was very exhilarating. With all you’ve accomplished in your life, this feels to me like just another step in your long list of lifetime accomplishments. I encourage it!
The hardest part of the training, for me, was that it was monotonous. Just the same four mile course again and again.
Maggie,
You have done so many amazing things you set your mind to; a 1/2 marathon will be a walk in the park. I started with C25K, and during the first week, I thought I was going to die. I ran my first half marathon a year later, and I’ve been running ever since. And yes, while they’re only for running, I love that I can justify paying full price for expensive shoes.
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