"If you want to catch a fish - think like a fish." - Uncle Onkoo from Northern Exposure
You are not going to believe this.
Mark and I have signed up to run a half marathon.
Yes, you read that right. The same friend who talked me into the 5k also talked me into this. We have a coworker who ran the London Marathon two weeks ago. This coworker is 57 and this was her first marathon. VERY inspired, Michelle and I (and now Mark and maybe also some other people from work) are going to be running 13.1 miles in Cardiff, Wales in October!!
For many years now I have bellyached about my weight. Well, Dr. Phil was right - up until now I have chosen to be fat. I have made poor choices in my life that have led to me being overweight. "If you want to catch a fish - think like a fish." If I want to be a healthy weight, I have to start thinking (and acting) like it matters to me.
Many of you have mentioned that you either a) run or b) have run marathons or other long races. I wonder if you would help me? Do any of you have any advice for a complete novice?! Any sage tips, affirmations, exercises, recommendations, or just plain help?
I am still doing my Race for Life for Cancer Research. It's a women-only race so I am pretty excited about participating. Apparently the atmosphere is amazing. It's only a month and three days away now - EEK!!!! (If anyone would like to sponsor me for that race you can do it HERE.)
"Examine what you believe to be impossible, and then change your beliefs." - Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
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20 comments:
Yes, you have a lot of coourage - I wish you success!
You go girl!! Well done! A half marathon is a big undertaking, but will feel so good to complete it. Maybe you guys need to find a running group, or create one of your own. Your training will depend on whether you want to go for a time, or just go to finish and run the whole thing. Even though I've been running, I'm probably not the best one for ideas or motivations- now that my run is done, I haven't gone since! But the only thing I can say is believe in yourself, and be brave and just push through those hard day when you do not want to go running. Ignore all those voices in your head yelling at you that you can't do it or won't make it or will never be healthy. Use them to push you, I guess. You can do it!! We'll all be here to help you along your journey. When is the run??
Good luck!!
Wonderful goal. I should do one too! The biggest thing I've done is the 3-day. Walked 60 miles over 3 days. It was AWESOME! Best advice: Good shoes!
You are amazing, Meg! You really are an inspiration! xo
Wow! I'm so impressed. I exercise in cycles, and have been on a long off-cycle, and every time that happens and I start going back to the gym it's starting from scratch and feeling like a dead-weight on the treadmill. Ugh. The thought of doing something long like that is kind of awe-inspiring!
I join the chorus of admiration! What a great cause to champion, too!
Megg, you are one amazing person, i have just sat here and read some of the entries that you have posted and they are, for lack of a better word, amazing. You and Mark have some fun and just enjoy it
I am so happy for you!! Proud of you!! You can do this!!
I trained to a 1/2 marathon last year with a trainer, would you like me to email you the training sheet?? My number one thing to say is BE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD SHOES!!! In fact, if you are training for a 1/2 you should have two pairs and alternate them each time you run. I know it is expensive but you have to protect your feet and shins.
I wish we lived close, then we could do it together! I just started running again after a leg fracture. We will have to offer cyber support to each other. I too am sick of feeling and being over weight! That is part of why I started doing that Simple Steps book, yesterday was day 1!!
Keep at it, you will start to feel great!
Wonderful! I ran my first marathon in Chicago in October 2005 and my first 1/2 in Nashville, TN in April 2005. At the moment, I'm just running for the fun of it with a local 10K in mind for July. My best advice for you: write out your training plan and stick to it the best you can. The race is like the icing on the cake - it's fun, enjoyable, exhilerating. The training is where the real work happens. Run with someone else who has the same goals that you do. And expect to have REALLY crappy runs occassionally. (They can't all be great.) And when you are fighting the urge to do a run, think of all the people sitting on couches, eating Doritos, ruining their heart - and know that you are doing the opposite. I feel like a rebel when I run. Because I live in a very unhealthy state, but I don't give into the culture of habits here. I deserve more. Running gives you more. Best of luck. You will be amazing and successful.
Megg,
I will be in London in June for three weeks (well part in London and the rest in the north) any chance we can get together?? It would be amazing to meet you!
I am SO proud of you sweetie! How empowering this will be for you. I wish I could offer advice, but I am probably the most unathletic person you will ever meet, so just cheers from me!!
I promise I will write back to you soon...I have not forgotten:)
Love to you,
TD
WOWWW!!! HOLY $^*#!!! That's incredible news!! When I read your news I got goosebumps!! I feel the way that I felt when I first saw Windsor Castle!! Very impressed!! I am so excited for both of you-what an amazing adventure to undertake---I love it, love it, love it!
I did three half marathons before I injured myself by overtraining. That turned out to be my achilles heel: once I was hooked I overdid it, so be careful! You will feel fantastic when you've accomplished it as it is quite an amazing goal. Good luck!
you rock. so my hero.
Good for you girl! You're an inspiration. My only exercise these days is playing tag and hide and seek with my girls. I don't think I'll be running a marathon but maybe we'll walk to the park. :o)
You can do it Miss Megg! I have been occasionally considering doing a mini marathon with my brother- a 5k. But I am starting to see we can do what we set our minds to! This is my 5th week on Weight Watchers and I've lost 9.8 pounds so far! Our minds and bodies will listen to us when we are ready it seems. Keep us posted!
Good For You!!! It's happening so soon too!
how great. you go girl! well i am no athlete but.. what i do know is that some days are good and some days are bad. i usually run on the treadmill. some days are phenomenal and others suck. i have learned to accept both and not to compare my days too harshly. That, it is okay to call it a day and not be hard on myself if I have a bad running day and just feel like crap. i know that i will get back on the treadmill the next day or so and that is good enough... to just keep going. i guess what i am saying longwindedly is "one day at a time"... i usually only run 6 miles a week. so this is my two cents. but from what i have attempted in the past... running schedules are good. you can find them online or in running magazines, good luck!
I am a triathlete. It's all about keeping your training consistent and being committed. If you miss a workout you can never get it back so make them all count. There are lots of training programs online. You've got lots of time if the race isn't until October. If you have specific questions feel free to email me. Enjoy!
oh, how fun. i ran my first half marathon just about 1 year ago. i had never been a runner prior to my training, but it was the BEST thing i ever did for myself, and it led me to my art in many, many ways. good for you! my training schedule and great tips can be found at portlandfit.com
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