As you may have seen on my Instagram or snapchat, I’m training for a marathon. I still haven’t picked out which marathon I want to do, but I’ve started training for it! And yes, I’m probably a bit crazy. I haven’t run several miles consecutively since… probably middle school. Along with the school’s “race across the country” running program in PE, I was on the cross country team. But it didn’t phase me.. I was a kid, I just did it. I have no idea how fast my mile time was and now it’s been hard seeing my mile times not as great as I’d like. Looking at my training schedule (thanks Trish) can be motivating and shocking. I have to run six miles today.
Top: Toned / Sports bra: Toned / Shorts: Nike – similar here / Water bottle: Nalgene / Shoes: Nike / Watch: Apple
So naturally there comes a point in every run where I think to myself I can’t do this, who am I kidding? I’m dying! Because I feel like I’m not a real runner, I’m just pretending to be one and I’m out of shape. But that’s shortly followed by I can do this, I’ve already run 3 miles, I’ve got this! Because I know I can do anything and it’s so rewarding. And as soon as I’m done running, I feel fan-fucking-tastic. Like I just ran four miles like a boss. I did it. I AM a runner. Look at me go. It’s such an incredible feeling to finish a run. But it’s also incredible to sit down and “stretch” after a run.
A huge part of my inspiration has been my older brothers. One brother has run in several marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and another brother has completed several Iron Mans. That’s a lot to live up to. Everyone started asking when I was going to run a race or an Iron Man. At first it irritated me, but then I really started thinking about it. While I hate having to live up to their accomplishments, I am happy that it has motivated me in this aspect. I believe being active and in shape is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. I want to look and feel my best, that’s important to me.
Another inspiration for this decision is that I talked a lot with my mom about running a marathon. It was always one of my goals, but I just never got around to doing it. And now I won’t have my mom to cheer me on from the sidelines. I know she’d be proud of me, so I want to use her as a source of inspiration to stay motivated on this journey.
But I’ve been dedicated to this decision and running everyday. It isn’t something I sit around and procrastinate doing. It’s something that I know I’m going to go and do. I get it done. Plus it’s a great way to get outside in the fresh air and sunshine. And It’s great exercise. So on that note, I’m off to run.
you go girl, i think this is awesome. i don’t come from a family of exercisers lol so i think it’s great you can use your brothers accomplishments as motivation.
i am so, so sorry about your mom girl. i can’t imagine that’s something that gets easier, but being inspired by her is amazing. my mum can’t cheer for me on any sidelines either, though only because she’s on the other side of the world, not trying to say it’s the same, but i do think of her as inspiration or motivation sometimes. i know she’s proud of me even if she’s not a runner (or walker or anything). she also had a stroke earlier this year so it’s motivated me to be as healthy as i can be. sorry for going on a tangent in your comment section!
good luck with your training and i can’t wait to see what marathon you choose to do. i’ve only ever done half marathons (have #9 coming up in less than 3 weeks, oy) and not sure i’ll ever do a full, but never say never! i still don’t consider myself a real runner lol and i’ve been running for.. i don’t even know. 8 years maybe? who knows.
It’s totally ok girl. It doesn’t matter if it’s not the same, it’s still just as hard. I’m sorry you can’t be close to your mom and that she had a stroke. I hope everything’s ok now though!! Thank you for your encouragement though, it means a lot! I’m terrified, but I’m so excited. Good luck with your next half marathon! We should totally go to Australia and do a marathon/half sometime 🙂