-Checkin off {GOALS} one at a time-

So I have recently begun training for a [HALF MARATHON] ... Well not recently recently, but recently as of the beginning of  August. I have always had this goal of running a half marathon, but I have never fully committed to one. 

I was sitting in class one day and my GF texted me to ask/tell me to run it with her. Without hesitation I said okay and signed up that day! I knew that if I wouldn't have signed up for it, and paid, I wouldn't commit to it. That is just how I am. 

Then I knew that I had to start the training process... 

My first "long" run. It was gorgeous!

Now I am NOT a runner... I repeat, I am NOT A RUNNER... I don't know what I was thinking! Who signs up for a half marathon who doesn't even enjoy running... -THIS GIRL-

I have had to run for the past 7 years, not because I wanted to, but because I HAD too. When I joined the military my 2 mile run was over 23 minutes. I hadn't ever ran before that, and running didn't come natural, or easy, to me... Before I broke my toe, my 2 mile got as fast as 16 minutes, but nothing more... It was something that just kicked my butt EVERY... SINGLE... TIME... 

Now as far as races go...

I did one 10K race while I was in the military, finishing at 57 minutes.

I did a 5K race when Joy was 4 months old and I finished at 32 minutes. 

I did a 10k race when Joy was 9 months old, finishing at 1:06

And that is as far as my racing days have gone.

So why a half marathon?? I honestly don't know. I have always wanted to do one, and I have been on this kick lately of crossing off my goals... so half marathon it is!! 

My run in Indiana... Middle of Nowhere AMAZINGNESS

Since I have recently gotten back into running I have learned a few things... 

It still isn't easy to run

I don't/won't get up at 5 am to run

I slack real easy when I am too tired to run

I make up a lot of excuses to not run

I don't enjoy listening to music anymore

I have learned how to focus on my breathing

I have gotten better at staying on pace

I am getting faster each time I run

and it is so empowering to let your thoughts run wild

 Oh, and I am starting to enjoy running, since it isn't forced upon me anymore!

Now, my half marathon isn't until October 18th.  It is the Go commando here in Clarksville and I still have a long ways to go in order to feel fully ready for the race. But I learned today that I have to stop making excuses for myself and just go out and do it. After not running for the past week and a half, my 3 mile run wasn't so easy after all! 

There have been multiple days that I have set my alarm for 5 am and I always turn it off. My sleep has always been more important to me than getting up. But what I have recently realized is that I just need to get up! I am going to be tired anyways, so why waste that hour I could be running, just wasting away sleeping. 

So now that I know where I want to be when the race comes along, and where I am now... the days of making up excuses to not run have to be over!!

 My overall goal isn't just to complete the race, but to maintain an 11 min/mile pace through the whole race! 

 It is time to get serious, dig deep within myself, and conquer this goal with a vengeance!

My race tonight... Billy Dunlop Park!