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Great Time to Start

July is here so the time is now! I have just over three months before my next half marathon. I am mentally ready to get myself into gear but I need you help. Please keep me accountable! Be sure to subscribe to this page to receive weekly updates and other promotions. sent directly to your email.

Between now and the end of the year, I will be posting weekly about my running journey. My journey towards 26.2. Ha! Don't let that fool you. I will be running two half marathons later this year and will take you on my training journey with me.

You won't get any bells and whistles on this blog. Just my truth! 

A few days ago, I thought it was a good idea to go on a run. I hadn't been on a run since Father's Day and that included intervals. But on June 29, I decided to run 4 miles in honor of my daughter. She was attending a gymnastics camp in Tampa and since she was training for 4 different events, I thought I'd run 4 miles while she was on her lunch break. 
Boy, was that a silly idea. I went in the middle of the day. It was so hot and I was so dehydrated. I had to take a short water break after 2.5 miles. Yes, I paused the clock, caught my breath and drank water.

At one point, I even called my husband to tell him to get some encouragement because I didn't think I was gonna make my goal. 

I am happy to say that I MADE IT!!! 

That run made me realize just how out of shape I was. But it also reminded me of these 3 things: 
  1. It's okay to take a break. Sometimes on a run or on your life's journey, you may have to stop and regroup. That's okay! TRUST your body. LISTEN to your body. OBEY your body. I intended to run 4 miles straight but after the first mile, I knew that was not going to happen. I didn't stop though. I made it back to my car earlier than expected and paused the clock. Nope, I did not stop it, because I was not done. I grabbed a drink of water, sat down for a second and even put my phone on the charger for a quick boost. I chose not to quit all together. Instead, I took a break and got back into the run. A break is not meant to stop you, it's meant to rejuvenate you.
  2. The path to achieve your goal may change midstream. Sometimes we set out to push our minds and bodies beyond our limits. We want to test and challenge ourselves. That's great. However, remember to be flexible. My body would not allow me to run 4 straight miles but by the time I stopped my watch, I was at 4 miles. After I ran the first mile, I knew I was in no condition to run another 3 miles so I walked a little before I started running again. I went through a run/walk cycle several times. Although that's uncharacteristic for me, I recognize that the bigger goal was to finish. Just remember, the path you set out on may get diverted. Be ready to changes lanes. 
  3. Keep your goal at the forefront of your mind. Breathe your goals regularly so that you don't lose sight of them. I knew in the pit of my soul that I wanted to complete 4 miles. It's usually easy for me but not on this particular day. I called my husband because I wanted to give up. I wanted to shorten the goal. I was hoping for a way out. He told me he would be proud of me even if I walked a portion of my goal. He then encouraged me not to give up so I stayed the course and I'm so glad I did. I finished what my mind tried to tell me was impossible. Nothing is impossible!
Now that I have had this experience, I realize that I am motivated my goals. I need something to work towards. Guess what, I have something to work towards... and it's coming up sooner than I think. 

I am ready to get myself back on track and prepared for my 2017 ZOOMA Half Marathon. I am so excited about this race. I ran the ZOOMA Women's Race Series last October and had a blast. It was a great course and lots of great women along the course. This year, I was selected to run as an Ambassador. WhooHoo!!!

When I got home yesterday evening, guess what I found?!?! My Raw Threads Ambassador shirt and bondi band were waiting to greet me. I'm so pumped. Can't wait to take them out for a run!


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