Gifts from my husband for completing week 2!
The next thing I've noticed is my confidence is building. From the time I was a little girl, with terrible Asthma, doctors had always told my parents I didn't need to over do with P.E. class, I carried an inhaler with me at all times, and my Mother's fear of me having an Asthma attack away from her sort of became my fear as well. So, for years, on into adulthood, I held myself back. Told myself I couldn't do that. I can only imagine what kind of runner I would be now, if I had not let my own fear and mental weakness keep me down. Okay...enough of that. At 46 years old, my confidence is building and I am realizing I am capable of running a 1/2 marathon, I am realizing just how tough I am mentally. So, I'm coping much better at week 3.
I also had something amazing happen to me last week! While sitting in a Doctor's office in Atlanta waiting for my husband to be seen, we met an 87 year old runner! While he only runs 3 miles a day now and ran the Peachtree Road Race 2013, (Wow) he has run many a marathon, and didn't even do that until he was in his 50's! He gave me lots of good advice, like to forget about my speed while I'm training for the 1/2, it'll only mess with you more mentally, and then you risk injuries which will set you back. He told me to remember not everybody can run a 1/2 marathon, and that gradually increasing my distance by 10% a week will get me there, if I'm using a good training program and to run for myself, not to compare myself to others. I had to just look up at God that morning and say, "I know that was you". "Thank you".
Back to today's training run...a little rattled because I woke up with huge blisters on the back of my feet from new running shoes that I had only walked in. How in the world was I going to run with those painful blisters? Well, I put 4 band-aids on the back of each foot, put my old faithful running shoes back on, (definately got too many miles and need replacing), and I went with it! Talk about developing my coping skills! I gotta tell ya, 10 minutes into this training run, and I didn't even notice the blisters anymore! Ha! I even conquered a hill that I had only previously been able to walk up...and even walking up that hill wasn't easy! So really, those blisters were a Godsend in a way...I had much rather learn how to deal with all the "things" that can go wrong while I'm training, NOT the day of the 1/2 marathon!
I'm going to leave you with something from my current read, "The Runner's Devotional". And I quote, "In Ephesians 6: 10-18, Paul tells Christians to put on the belt of truth, the body of armor of righteousness, feet fitted with readiness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, praying in the Spirit constantly. We have learned that NOTHING is impossible with GOD. On some days I can't put on the armor-that's when I ask GOD to put it on for me. God's love and peace have gotten me through so much in running...and in life."
You won't EVER run on empty with God.
XOXO,
Tina
Love it, girl! You can definitely do it. I ran my first 1/2 last year at Thanksgiving and was amazed at the feeling of accomplishment. Yes, I am now a full time runner - it's my peace and stress relief. My next goal is another 1/2 - I think I'm doing the same one again this year. Just not sure that a full marathon is really good on my body; or at least not my knees. That's the painful part of running for me. I think a good trainer might be in my future to develop my running style. I'm slow (9 1/2 minute mile) but I'm sure. It's great therapy for me given my work schedule. Dreading the dark nights that are soon approaching - that will drive me into the gym and God knows how much I love the great outdoors! Oh, well. It's still something I love to do so I will get on the treadmill (body over mind) and listen to my audio books (I'm hooked on this) so I can run like the wind. I forget about what mile I'm on and just run and read (aka listen). It's pure pleasure. Good luck with your training, Tina. Let me know which 1/2 you are doing - maybe we can hook-up!!!
ReplyDeleteSammie! :)
DeleteMy first 1/2 will be Thanksgiving! I had planned to do the Soldier 1/2 Marathon near Ft. Benning early November, but I was thrown into my husband's business full time & have my own full time business...so I've been a slacker! Well, only with exercise, due to working crazy hours training myself in our business, & then going home & spending another 6+ hours with my business. I was getting very down, but then a friend told me they highly recommended I do the Thanksgiving Day 1/2 because any slack or lack I have, the enthusiasm of the hundreds of people there will knock that right off of me! LOL You think you're slow? I can't get under 10 minutes Sammie!!! But, I've not let that get me...I'm running, no matter how slow I go! :) I would love to get together with you sometime & go for a run! :)