Marathon Fever

So I started running last year to lose the post baby weight that I never lost from Tyler (not Justin but Tyler my first child!). My friend Grace asked if I wanted to run a half-marathon and I said why not. How hard can a half-marathon be? Man, was I ignorant. I tried to train for it but I wasn't that dilligent and I ended up walking most of the second half of the 13.2 miles in Central Park. My only saving grace was my friend Maria who is a full marathon and triathlon athlete who literally was at my side encouraging me the whole way. She could have finished the race in half the time but she was so patient with me and ran/walked with me for 2 hours and 45 minutes to the finish line. I must add that it was record high of 95 degrees that April day so even the full marathon was cancelled. It's just comforting to say the heat was too much to run in. Anyway, I even received a medal for my accomplishment. Then I vowed to never run in a race again.

Fast forward 6 months later and my friend Grace asked to run a 5 mile run in Central Park. I thought why not. Compared to the half-marathon, 5 miles shouldn't be that hard, right? It's all about perspective, I guess. So I started to train and it was hard to run longer than 2 miles but it's amazing what your body is capable when you put your mind to it. I realize in sports it's mostly mind over matter. In the end, the 5 mile race was not that bad and I tried really hard to finish it under 1 hour so I'm glad I accomplished the goal. Then it dawned on me. Unless I run a race there is very little motivation for me to run so I decided to register for a 4 mile run for Autism.

I was lucky this time because I had my good friend Susan run with me. I think she was cursing me the whole time we were running but I was so proud of her for running the whole 4 miles in good time without much training. I say it again, mind over matter. It was really fun running with a friend and for a great cause. Thanks Susan! (Let's do it again next year).

I used to work on Sundays many years ago and every year I would witness the runners in the NYC marathon. It was truly inspiring to see runners of all ages and physical form and it has been my dream to run in it one of these days. I actually was tempted to register for next year's race but I don't think I'm ready yet. I think I'm going to try another half-marathon next year and see if I still like running. Until then no more races for me this year. If anyone would like to join me in a race next year, let me know. =)