I ran a half marathon! – running journey month 5

Journey to the Half Marathon

It’s been quite a while since I’ve done a running update and I figured since I recently ran my half marathon virtually and checked off one of my running milestones, now would be as good a time as any.

Due to the pandemic that is sweeping the nation, my half marathon in central park was canceled which was not a surprise. What was a bit of a shock though was how this affected me mentally. I was not as motivated to head out the door to go on my run. My runs were shorter because I had no urge to go the extra 3 miles. I was slower, a lot slower and this was making me very upset. I was getting swept up in the whole running fast aspect of the race that I lost what running is supposed to be about (well at least for me), to have fun. Back in December when I first started consistently running I remember how much fun I was having. I didn’t care that I was slow or that 3 miles was considered a long run for me 🙂 (haha), I had fun!

So what did I do? I took 3 weeks off from running the 30-40 miles a week I was originally doing. I kept my runs in the 1-4 mile range and if I wanted to run 5, 6, 7 + miles I did. This was also great for me to work on my ankles which have been bugging me for weeks. A few years ago I dealt with many ankle problems which caused me to be on crutches for a big stent of the year, so the fact that since I had started running and these problems were now coming to the surface was not at all a surprise to me. I did my own prescribed physical therapy, rested and after 3 weeks my pain was gone. 🙂 Thankfully.

13.1 miles

3 weeks after taking my running break I had the urge to run my half marathon. Since the cancelation of my race all I have wanted to do was run the 13.1 miles. It’s been BUGGING ME! Each weekend I hope for good weather so I can head out to run. Finally enough was enough. 1 week after my race date had passed I decided to make my own bib (pictured below), and just go out and run. No matter the weather or how I was feeling I set my mind to go run, and I did it.

Running 13.1 miles is far. A lot farther than I had ever run before. A few weeks prior I ran 10 miles so an extra 3 miles isn’t that far logistically, but mentally it is. Around mile 1 I was already grumpy and tired so I new it was going to be a long haul, 🙂 but I am so proud to say that I did it! I finally ran my half marathon. Sure it wasn’t the setting I had hoped for, my mental strength wasn’t the best, and my mood was so so, but I pushed through and came out the other side and am so proud of myself for doing this. Just getting out the door to run, regardless of the distance is an accomplishment in itself.

This may be cheesy but this just goes to show you that if you set your mind to something you can achieve it. 5 months ago I couldn’t even run 1 mile, I would have to walk. But I kept running and running and running and wait….. running some more and finally I made it to 1 mile, 2 miles, 3 miles, 6 miles, 10 miles, and 13 miles! And as I crossed the finish line (pictures below), with a smile on my face, a gel in my hands, my dad looked at me, smiled said “now all you have to do is run it again to complete a full marathon.”

Pictures

If you made it to the end, THANK YOU! I know this was a long one but thank you to all those who read my run chat catchup.

Leave a comment below on some of your favorite things you are doing doing quarantine/self-isolation!

Have a great day! I hope you are all staying safe and healthy.

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