(gasping for air)

As some of you may already know, I ran a 5K this weekend. It felt REALLY good. I loved being around motivated and inspiring people and I especially loved running a different course (and easy course ~ comparatively speaking) and completing it in great time. It has inspired me to continue on with my training and possibly enter to run in...omg....dare I say it....a 10K or possibly a half marathon (GASP). There I said it....I have revealed my most inner thoughts....now it's a matter of carrying it out...and sticking to my program

After watching the Bachelor last night and seeing him meet Danielle's family and learning that her parents ran a marathon together, I admired that about them. I turned and looked at dh and said "we should run a marathon". Dh has ran in one before and wanted to again and he's like "yah let's do it......you are serious right?". I wasn't really but I thought it would be totally cool to do this with him....it would be something we did together and could build memories on.....so we'll start small and work towards the 10K, then build to a half marathon and maybe in a year do the Marine Corps Marathon next year.

I have been thinking about this for some time now. I'm at a turning point in my life. I am done having children. I am nearing my mid thirties. I am faced with having "this" body for the rest of my life, and am yearning for new challenges. I am tired of my every day mundane life so I am trying to zest things up. This is how I thought I could jump start it. It gives me something to work towards and something to be proud of. Personal accomplishments are few and far between for me. I am not artsy fartsy. I don't have a career outside of my home. I am only good at one thing: working out!!! So I am trying to better myself physically and mentally by setting goals for myself that I know will push me.


Wish me luck as I journey down this un chartered territory. Saying all of these things outloud scares me. It holds me accountable but it also motivates me to not disappoint you all.

So am I crazy or what?

:yay!:

You are AWESOME!!! I wish I had the desires you do! Wait, let me rephrase that, I do have the desires you do, I just don't know where to start!!
Have you always been a runner, or is this something you picked up recently?
You are such a motivational person, and I'm so glad you come on here and list your goals!! It really helps those of us who are struggling with pushing through that next barrier!!
Good luck!!!

Thank you!!! THat was so sweet

I am serious when I say, if I can do it anyone can. It really is mind over matter. Don't let yourself find excuses as to why you can't....just do it Nike style!!!

I figure I have this body for the rest of my life so I might as well take care of it and push it to do new things. WHen I challenge myself it feels good to know I can carry out the challenge and succeed. Even little challenges like when I was running on Saturday, I said to myself: don't let any female runners pass you. That helped me keep up my pace and push me to do better. Setting small goals for yourself leading to bigger ones feels so good. Celebrating all the baby steps along the way too, also helps with your confidence.

If you say to yourself: I am going to do 30 minutes of cardio three times a week and you do it (no matter what the activity), celebrate that. Then when you feel up to it, push it to four days a week. Sooner or later your body is going to crave more...and more. That is how you know you are on your way!!!

I think that is a great idea! I could easily see the two of you in a marathon together.

I have much simpler goals. Next year (in June) I WILL compete in a sprint triathlon. Running is not my strong suit in that event, that is for sure. Before I am 40 I want to do a 5K with dh. Much easier to compete than a marathon!

Go, Christy, Go!

I could have written exactly what you wrote above! Your post really spoke to me today. I needed to hear this. I just signed up for a 10 K for September and all day I've been saying to myself, "You can't do this. Are you crazy?" But then I read your post and I thought, "I can do this." Even if I had to walk some of the way, I could still do 10 K in less than 1hr 30 min (still very slow). My biggest fear is coming up to the finish line and everyone would have packed up and gone home by then!

You will do awesome!

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I too have had the same dialogue in my head...but like I've said: it's mind over matter. I have to shut off the negative talk and just do it!


Let's do it together! By September I was hoping to be ready for a 10K. Where will you be running?

And secondly, walking counts......it's not quitting. You can most definitely walk. Chances are you will not come in last...nor will people pack up and leave. That's teh greatest thing about these events, everyone is there to cheer EVERYONE on...including the last finishers....that is the BEST encouragement of all.

..... September 9th. When and where are you running?

I just may be walking some of it. I just started running these past two weeks. All the 5 K's I've done, I've sped walked.

Thanks for the encouragement. I really needed it.

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:yay!: I think that's awesome!!

My husband has run a few marathons and wants to get back into training when he gets home. I've started to get into running so that we can do have something to do together (not that I will be running marathons anytime in the near--or distant-- future.)

Good luck! You sound very determined and obviously will be able to do anything you set your mind to.

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~Vicki~
Mama to Hailey, 4 and Ella, 2

Ummmmm...."artsy fartsy".....watcha' trying to say here!?!?!?!?!? LOL (And if you apologize or think you have hurt my feelings, I am bringing a frying pan to your house...and it WON'T be for your dh's head!!!)

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You will be fine and speed walking is just as good. I imagine I won't be running the ENTIRE 10K so if I do walk it will be speed walking too.

Don't think I can make it to ... on the 9th. We are leaving Canada August 28th. I don't think dh would be up for a turn around trip! However, you could come to OK....we don't have hills down here!!! (big bonus)

Good luck with your run!