I have a quick question for today: Do you run?
You see, I am kinda, sorta, toying around with the idea of participating in a half marathon this year. Today was my first run and while I didn't LOVE every minute of it, I was proud that I completed it all while not throwing up. I have high expectations, eh?
Anyways, have any of you every participated in a half marathon? Did you enjoy it? Does the running get easier?
I would love to hear from you...
I have never been athletic; no sports at all for me, but I love to walk and excercise to be healthy and in shape. About a year and half ago, I started running, it was VERY hard for me to pace myself, let alone breathe! I ran my first 5k on Mother's Day last year. I also suffer from terrible allergies, so I ended up walking alot of it, because my allergies were so bad that day. I still suffer from breathing, but I have gotten to love running. I run better on the treadmill than i do outside(i think because of the allergies). I have also found that I run better and breathe better when I chew gum (my husband thinks I'm crazy and will choke), but it works for me! :)
ReplyDeleteIt will get easier with time, don't push yourself and be proud of what you have accomplished! :)
Take care!
Jodi
I don't like to run, my body rejects it as a form of exercise :( You on the other hand, sound like you have potential! There's a great resource called Couch to 5k that I used when I was trying to be a runner, you might want to take a look at it: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
ReplyDeleteI also have high expectations of self when it comes to running. Not puking at the end of a run is a perfectly admirable and reasonable expectation! I'm happy if I actually "run" all the way!
ReplyDeleteSomeone once told me that as a teenager it takes 3 weeks to get in shape and 3 months to lose it, but as you get older, it gradually reverses until it takes 3 months to get in shape and 3 weeks to lose it. I'm not trying to scare you, but maybe help you set some realistic goals for yourself.
When I signed up for a 5k last year, I found this great article with a 9-week training schedule. Maybe you'd find it helpful? Anyway, here's the link:
http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/a-9-week-guide-to-train-for-your-first-5k-2471612.html
I ran my first 5K in December. I hated the training at first but it definitely got easier. I would recommend starting out smaller than a half marathon. When I crossed that finish line after 3 1/2 months of training it was so emotional. I ran as fast as I could across the finish line, started crying then hyperventilated. It was great. (insert sarcasm) :) It really was amazing completing it. I did it through a class at church called Run for God. I HIGHLY recommend that training plan and doing it w/ one if not more other people. Myself and 3 other girls trained together during the week and our whole group (there were 28 of us) tried to get together on the weekends for a group run. On Sun nites during class time we went to the track and ran. It was so awesome doing it as a group. We all encouraged each other so much and hearing the people that had already finished cheering me on as I neared the finish line was so awesome. I haven't kept it up b/c when my son was out of school during Christmas break I couldn't run and once you haven't run for about 3 weeks it's like starting over again. Now we just lift weights and do zumba videos. Some people from our group have kept it up and have done other 5k's. You might love it!! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading back through your blog and spotted that you were thinking about tackling the half marathon.. Me too!
ReplyDeleteI signed up spur of the moment and it really forces you to train. I'd recommend doing a few smaller races first but you'll certainly reap the benefits in no time, even if it feels like an uphill struggle at first :-)
Lucy x