This morning I finally got to check all the blogs I read since being gone this weekend to the Junior League Board Retreat (which was so much fun!). I noticed that Rachael had posted a comment on my "TKO" post, something about a post on her blog about running a half-marathon and would I be interested in running it too. So I mosey on over to her blog and read all about it and realize that she is serious. My first thought is "Hubs will definitly say no." And then I start thinking to myself (and even told Rachael) that I can't run a half-marathon I've only been running since January, there is no way that I'm going to be able to train for it by then. But, I decided to run it by Hubs anyway since I was sure he would say no way.
So here is the conversation that followed:
Me: Hey, you know my blogger friend Rachael that runs and has the cute little girl from Russia that I told you about?
Hubs: No.
Me: Yes you do. They live in Michigan and she's a doctor and remember that I told you about the little girl thinking that the word "indicate" means to have something in your dessert?
Hubs: Oh, yeah, that was funny.
Me: Well, she is running the Chicago half-marathon in September and she asked me if you and I would like to make a little trip to Chicago for the weekend and me run it with her and her sister.
Hubs: I'd be willing to do that.
Me: (nearly falling down from shock) Really?
Hubs: Yeah. I've only been to Chicago once and that was for your grandfathers funeral and you keep telling me how great it is and I think I would like to go back as a tourist. It would be fun. We could fly up there, cause I'm not driving it again (we did that 2 years ago, not fun), and have a long weekend, you run the race and we could go sight-seeing.
So, here's the problem. I was sort of counting on Hubs to say that we couldn't do it then I would have the perfect excuse to tell Rachael. Then, I thought that I could tell her that I couldn't get trained for it in time, but then she just had to go and post this on her blog.
Well, great! Now I have no excuse, and you all know how I feel about excuses. The truth is that running for 2 hours, 13.1 miles straight scares me to death. Sure, I've been running 6.5 miles (about 1 hour) for about a month now and at this point its really no big deal. But 13.1? Lets keep in mind here that I have only been running since January.
But, I don't want to be a person who makes excuses so, (oh, goodness, I can't believe I am going to say this) if my parents can watch our kids for the weekend, I'M GONNA DO IT! I know, I know, crazy! But I've been thinking about this all day and I like the idea of it. Oh and getting to meet Rachael (we have a ton in common) and her sister will be lots of fun and I LOVE visiting Chicago. I haven't really been there for any length of time in 13 years.
Also, I know that I will never train myself to run that far if I don't have a goal in mind. Signing yourself up for a race truly gets you motivated to acheive your goals. (There's a little hint for you C25K girls! Get signed up for a race!) I don't think I would have started running 6.5 miles if I hadn't signed up for that 10K. Then I think about Alex. She just got accepted to run the New York Marathon! How great is that!
The training program starts tomorrow. I am pumped!
16 comments:
Seriously?! Can you hear me screaming in excitement all the way from Michigan? That's SO awesome! It'll be a blast -- I promise! :)
Oh, no. This means I REALLY have to do it too, huh? OK, this will be motivating. I think we should do a weekly check-in on the progress.
I thought I heard something :)
I know its going to be fun but I am scared to death!
I agree with the weekly check-ins. I'm going to do the intermediate training.
Congrats! I knew it wouldn't be too long before you took the plunge! You are going to love it...the most amazing feeling to cross that finish line.
Good luck training, can't wait to hear all about it!
Oh goodness! You are BRAVE!!! You go girl! I still haven't even run a 5k race and am scared to do it...I can't even imagine running 13.1 miles! You have lost your mind;) Go CM...GO!!!!
Ahhh, see Jenn, you have got to stop being afraid. Seriously. You will not be the slowest one in the race (if thats why you are afraid) and your adrenaline kicks in a you feel like you could run forever. You have got to sign yourself up for another one and DO IT!
So exciting! I am going to start running again when I get home. I have been SO lazy here ;)
Oh, sorry I got you roped into it too. But honestly it will be fun, and if you can and have been running 6 miles you are way ahead of Rachael and I. We went and ran 3 miles yesterday just to make sure we could do at least that before commiting to this race and we did it, but it was hard. Happy training!
PS I keep forgetting to add you to my bloglines, I'm doing it now.
You so rock!
Read my blog....I've got you a treat.
That's awesome! You can do it! I have a question for you--how did you get motivated to do all this running and exercising in the beginning? I really want to start some sort of exercise this summer since I have some free time, but have ZERO motivation. I don't like the heat and hate to sweat and we really can't afford a gym membership right now. Motivate me to do something!
Goodness Renee, what a question. I'm not sure what to tell you if you don't like to sweat. Maybe try Yoga? I sweat, a lot!
As far as motivation, you have to find it yourself. You just have to get up and say "I don't like the way I feel, I want more energy and I want to be more fit". Its hard, it can be grueling, and you will want to quit but the pay-off is so worth it!
Amen to what CM said Renee...you DO have to find the motivation within yourself...sometimes you will lose it..I have myself..but you have to jump back on the bandwagon and DO IT! If I can...ANYONE can!
Oh...and CM I AM RUNNING the race!!! Ken might do it with me...which will put me to shame because he hasn't ran in YEARS..but is doing it with me for moral support...and he better pick me up off the ground if I fall flat on my face from exhaustion, lol! Yeah...I emailed the director of the race and learned it is hilly....oh boy!
Jenn, you can do it! Who cares if its hilly? Who cares if you finish last? You know you aren't going to win, so you are running it to say that you did it. Crossing that finish line is the best part. Yeah for K doing it with you. After this race you will be hooked!
That's awesome! Sounds like it will be a blast!
Good for you!!!! I've run 2 half-marathons, and before training for the first I'd never run more than one mile during the Presidential Physical Fitness test in school. You can do it!!! It truly is one mile at a time and before you know it you'll be doing 10 miles and then what's 3.1 more??? I'm going for my first full marathon at WDW in January...kind of scary, but exciting, too. Good luck with your training!
VERY impressive!!!!!!!!
Read my blog....there's a treat for you!!!
I can't believe that hubby said OK!! How cool is that!! You will do great, I just know it!
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