I never really thought I could run a marathon. I honestly still don't think I can do it. But in the last month that I've been training, I've already done things that I hadn't done before and I'm starting to think that a marathon might be possible. Last Saturday I ran 7 miles. That was farther than I've ever gone in my life, and I didn't die. Two weeks before that I ran 5 miles for the first time since Reece was born, and both times I did a little inner-celebratory dance and thought to myself, "Maybe I can do this."
Isn't that inspiring? This image was from an article about a runner who died just after crossing the finish line (not the guy in the picture). Sure makes you want to run, doesn't it?
I love this picture because the girl is puking mid-stride. I only hope I can gain that skill.As I said, I am not a runner. I like to work out. But it's not because I like to push myself or try to improve or anything. I just like to feel like I've done something good for my body that day. Pushing myself to go further and faster has not really been my style. I more like to have a calories goal, and then any day that I get to the gym is a good day, regardless of what else does or does not happen. It's silly, I know, but I guess it's my hobby/obsession.
I've struggled with even calling this my hobby because I feel like I should be better at it if it's getting that distinct classification, but since I work out almost every day, the only way I can justify it is by deeming it a "hobby."
So why the marathon, then? If I'm not a real runner and I'm not competitive, why torture myself now? Well, staying at home with Reece has been wonderful, but I've really been searching for something beyond being mom. I've wanted something that would improve me and stretch my limits and see what I could do. Plus (and this is more honest than I should be) I still had to lose 6 pounds of baby weight.
That's all I've got for now on the subject. I want to run a marathon and I think I might be able to try to do it. I did find, after hours of frustrated searching, an acceptable marathon. It's on June 5 (a Saturday) in Aptos, CA. That's close to Santa Cruz and only an hour away from us. Believe me, it's not easy finding a marathon on a Saturday in California.
So I'm not going to try to break any records or win any medals (because you get a medal just for finishing...he he he...suckers). I just want to do it. For me. Because I can. Right?
11 comments:
You know, I always thought you'd run a marathon someday. You inspire me :) You can totally do it! I'll be rootin' for ya!
Right! Wendy that's so exciting! I keep planning to do a half-marathon and haven't even accomplished that yet, but I think its just sheer determination. Remember our runs in Durres? ahh. So I totally believe in you and just want you to know that women's bodies are prime for long distance running right at our age. It's like the only sport that is good for a little bit older people, so you are spot on with this! I can't wait to hear how it all goes...uh, just don't die, okay?
I'm right there with you, Wendy. We'll be coming up for sure. We should make team t-shirts and make blood pacts. I'm all about cultish behavior.
That's so awesome!! I'm sure you'll do great. I'm excited for you!! Read the book Born to Run. It will make you feel like 26.2 miles is a cake (well the idea of it is cake, but the actual doing it won't be). Good Luck!
WooHoo!! It must be a 'mom' thing...lots of my friends that have had babies in the past year are signing up for marathons. Maybe that is when I'll be motivated for such a feat, or maybe not! Either way I think you're awesome and of course you can do it, you rock!
I'll wear a t-shirt and make the brownies for the cult group! Good on you girl!!
absolutely love it!!! So excited, and completely understand the wanting to do something to stretch yourself of new. Good luck!!
Awesome. I know what you mean about needing something separate from mommyness. I did some treadmill running and got up to about 10 minutes, but then discovered that didn't even equal 5 minutes when my wimpy self went outside. That was so depressing I quit.
I'm a quitter. I should work on that.
Just one more reason you are my hero. Good luck!
You go girl! That'll be awesome!It's so much fun!!!
I think it's very admirable that you want to feel like the people in your pictures. It's really not that bad the whole time. You only feel like dying the last 15 miles or so. Just don't make the mistake I made on my first, which was to only get about 4 hours of sleep, and take off running too fast, and not drink enough water. By the time I wandered in to the finish line, my vision was tunneled, my lips were blue, and I couldn't understand anything that people were saying to me. It took about 10 minutes before I could focus enough for Liz to convince me to sit down and eat something. Toward the end of my second, I promised myself that I would never do something so stupid again. I've kept that promise to that day. If I ever change my mind, I want you to hit me with something heavy.
That being said, I am incredibly jealous and wish I could come and run with you. You are going to do awesome!
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