From the category archives:

Half Marathons

A Fat Lady Just Passed You

by admin

fat1

“A fat lady just passed you.” — that’s what will pull me along.

Let me explain. I have a half marathon tomorrow — and it’s a double-loop. The first loop is 8 miles and the second loop is 5 miles. My car along with all the others will be sitting waiting at mile 8, which is also the finish area. I remember during my Princess half last month right about mile 7 or 8 thinking, I’d just like to sit down…just for a minute. What will keep me running and NOT turning towards my car if that same thought comes through my mind. What will get me to keep moving?

This is going to be a very small group, about 300 people and half will be doing a 5k and not the half. That means maybe 100+ will be doing the half. Of those – half will probably be the cross country track team from the high school across the street….I anticipate being last, I’m slow! I’m totally COOL with being last..I’m okay with that. I just would like to push myself to finish – which I know I can because I’ve done it before.

So my husband and I were talking, and I was like what will pull me past those cars, so I don’t stop when I’m tired. He says….all those young kids? You think they all have been training properly? They’ll get cocky, the non-runners…and many won’t finish. They’ll start strong, but peter out part way through. Imagine – here you are at the start line, and people will think you won’t have it in you…and surprise, you’ll be one of those who finish.

I laughed and said, yeah – I need one of those shirts that says “You were just passed by a fat lady!” on the back of it….and I smiled and knew exactly what would keep me going. Let’s show these cocky, strong young kids that yes, even the old, fat lady can stick with it and get it done.

Honestly – I’m not competing with anyone but myself, but I know the head games we play with ourselves on those long runs when we are tired…so when I see my car, and know I have 5 more miles to go…and yes, once again at mile 10 is a big ole hill…oh joy….I’ll have this to reach for. The chance for a fat lady to pass a young buck who didn’t train…yeah, it’s the little things. (cheesy grin)

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Half Marathons

by admin

marathon

Half Marathons – 13.1 miles….hmmm. What would motivate you to sign up for another half marathon, when you haven’t done your first? The fear of seeing an “end”. This is what’s getting me to sign up for my next! Let me break it down a little more so it makes more sense…

1. I run my first 1/2 marathon in March 2010

2. I’m afraid when I finish in March, if I don’t have a plan, I’ll just stop moving – I’m trying to create a habit.

3. If I have a plan, and know that there’s something else I have to work towards, it will keep me motivated to continue when I finish my first 1/2 marathon.

4. I chose one in Disney (Oct 2010) – again, a place I love to visit, and will inspire me to keep going.

So..now that you saw my thought process, let me explain just a tad more.

1. I’ve got A LOT of weight to lose – and staying active is key. To develop a habit, I shouldn’t see an “END”, I should realize this activity needs to become part of my life. By setting a plan in action now – it will keep me motivated to keep one foot in front of the other and stay on my course.

2. By choosing an event I’ll be excited about – I’ll see it not only as a place to work towards, but also a reward.

Lastly, what I plan on doing is taking my time and distance that I achieve in March at the Princess Half Marathon, and work on improving it.

Ex: if I don’t finish all 13 miles of the Princess, I’ll have a distance to improve on
Ex: if I finish the Princess in a time of say 3:15:00, then I’ll know to aim for a time below that

Anyway, that’s the plan. I’ll be signing up for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in Disney. I’m actually really happy with this plan, because in the process of doing something good for myself, I’ll have some cool, fun things to look forward to.

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