13 point freaking 1

Why in the heck did I train for 15 weeks to run 13.1 miles at the butt crack of dawn?

Well I will tell you why..

BECAUSE IT MADE ME FEEL ACCOMPLISHED.

When I was pregnant, I had to stop working out for the last 5 months or so because of pelvis issues and during that 5 months, I watched my cousin train for a half marathon. She was never an "every day kind of runner". I mean when she started training, she couldn't even do 3 miles. To see her run 13.1 miles maybe a year after she started her journey was inspiring. After seeing her accomplish this, I knew that I wanted to run 13.1 miles one day without dying, too ... even though at the time I could barely walk.

So, I texted my cousin and we planned to run a half the next November. Ten months before, in February, when I was still miserable from just having a baby, I went online and paid $100 to run a half marathon. At the time, I thought "did I seriously use my last $100 to run... and run for a very long time just to get a tshirt?" Yes, I did. I'm the kind of person that won't let that money go to waste and I knew if I told my friends and family that I signed up for this, I'd make sure to prove them allllllll wrong because each person looked at me like I was crazy when I told them.

As I started to get back into working out after having Parker, I had days where I believed I was absolutely crazy for thinking I could accomplish such a big goal in this little amount of time. 10 months is a long time but I was literally starting from -1,000 when it came to my health. But my mama didn't raise no quitter, I can tell you that right now.

When I was 15 weeks out from race day, I began my training. I studied training programs for a week straight trying to decide which would work best for where I was at. I was physically back in shape at this time but it was still difficult for me to run 3 miles without stopping BUT I didn't use that as an excuse to not start my training. I just figured if I jump into this head first, what's the worse that could happen?

I pretty much stuck to my training program. I had to take about two weeks off because of some health issues but when those were cleared up, I got right back on the horse. The only reason I was successful with my training is because I didn't let the excuses I made ruin my mindset.

"I have Parker, and running with a stroller is hard" - yes, it is hard but it'll only make your runs without a stroller that much easier.

"It's too hot outside." - Ok, get over it, you'll just sweat more.

"I'm too tired." - That's what they make pre-workout for.

"I didn't have time to run this morning because I woke up late." - Well then you'll just have to run during your lunch break at work.

And the list goes on and on and on. It is so easy to make excuses and it's totally natural to do so but it's all about how you act on those excuses. I NEVER regretted a training session after it was over and that's what helped me push those excuses to the back of my head every single day. I made a promise to myself and nothing was going to stop me from accomplishing my goals.

So, I did it. I completed my race just a couple of weeks ago and WOW did I feel like a badass. No, it was not easy by any means but it was soooooo satisfying to cross that finish line with a smile on my face - even though my whole body was hating me. It was such a humbling and self-rewarding experience that I'm already looking for my next half to run.

My advice to anyone who is still reading this and thinking "I want to complete 13.1 miles without dying, too" - GO SIGN UP FOR ONE RIGHT NOW! Even if you can barely finish a 5k, sign up for a half that is at least 15 weeks away and get your butt in gear and make it happen. 15 weeks is plenty of time to train even if you're starting from the bottom.

Stop doubting yourself.

Stop giving every excuse in the book - "I'm too old, I'm too out of shape, I hate running"

Stop thinking you will fail.

If you are the kind of person that loves to set goals and accomplish them, half marathons are for you. Even if you're someone who just loves to have something to work towards, half marathons are 100% for you. Or maybe a half marathon is too extreme, train for a 10k. Just stop doubting yourself and do the damn thing!

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