The Scoop

I've never considered myself a 'runner'.  I have yet to ever get that elusive 'RUNNERS' HIGH' some brag about.  I don't *love* running, but there is something unique and rewarding after it's done.  It's difficult to describe, but is a mixture of accomplishment (I set out to do this and I just finished it) and just physically using your body in a way it was meant to be used but rarely is in this modern world - harkens back to cave days when you survived because you ran - either to catch food or away from a predator. 

So, why on earth have I just signed up to run a 1/2 marathon in 2 months time?  That's an excellent question, and I'll be sure to let you know when (if) I figure it out. 

I have run the occasional 5K and even the Peachtree a couple times (a 10K in the brutal GA heat and humidity), and survived.  David (the hubs) has run a couple 1/2's, and its not exactly that he makes it look easy because I see all the careful training and running he does leading up to an event (He follows a training plan to the exact detail)....but, he accomplishes it, completes it...I wanted to see what it was like to experience the other side. 

It is as much a mental feat for me as it is a physical one - and make no mistake, it is a FEAT of ginormous proportions on both levels.  Anyone, can finish the last mile of a half marathon (which for the record is about 13.1 miles - thus the name of this blog).  The real challenge lies in facing the daunting prospect at the start of knowing that you will literally be running for HOURS.  A GOOD time would take you through a feature-length movie! 

Regardless, I digress too much into the *why* of it all and what I really wanted this blog to be about was my journey.  My mental and physical odyssey from a non-runner to a marathon finisher.

Started last weekend - got a Groupon email with a deal for the VIP package for the US Marathon in my new home city of San Francisco.  The race course goes over the Golden Gate Bridge - twice - which really lured me in!  Not to mention the other scenic areas of the North part of the city.  I mentioned it to David thinking why not - and voila - we were both in.  We booked the race and a hotel room for the night before within walking distance of the start and finish line. 

Then it started to set in - what will we do about the kids and how are we going to train for this in how many weeks - oh yeah, just 8!

Time to make the rest happen!  I googled some beginning programs all a minimum of 10 weeks, and pieced together something that should work for me.  I just want to FINISH this, my first Half - no time goals - other than to finish before the pace car has to pick me up!!!  Seriously, they close the course after 3 hours and pick up any stragglers!  It is a 14 minute mile pace.  If I can walk, run or some combination and manage to AT LEAST keep at 14 minute mile pace, then I'm golden.  When you look at it that way, it doesn't seem so bad - I could probably do that now - for about 4 miles or so....anything beyond that and I'd be really TIRED and really SORE - for weeks!  That's where the training and nutrition come in.

That's the SCOOP of how I got myself in this situation:

A non-runner, non-athlete, almost middle-aged, overweight mom of two signed up for a 1/2 marathon in 2 months!!!  More on my training and plan in the next post.