Reflecting......
Four months ago I decided to sign up to train for a marathon. I kept imaging terrible pain, injuries, and basically putting myself through hell to accomplish a goal. My marathon training has been NONE of that. In fact, I can't wait to do it again.
There are a couple of training runs that stand out in my mind that I want to share with yall.....
On February 9th, before the Weeks/Myers family annual ski trip, Crystal and I completed 10 miles at Winton Woods after work on that Friday. The high that day was in the mere 20s, and it would have been the farthest we would have run. I remember watching the sun going down, thinking we must be losing it. I could have been doing about a hundred other things but instead decided to stick to the training and put my miles in. Crystal and I had a few fights while we ran. I thought she was running too slow, and now how the tables have turned. I have to struggle to keep up with her! I think she will be a Boston runner in the near future. What a difference running has made in her life. She is healthy, happy, and found a lifetime activity.
One early morning we attempted a 4 mile loop downtown which consisted of running over the bridges into KY. We of course made a wrong turn, and ended up doing about 5 miles. I blame it on the blond hair and lack of caffeine. I love running through downtown Cincinnati when it is relatively quiet. It is almost like the city and I share a secret. I feel it says "Don't tell anyone, but I got a softer, quieter side....."
The treadmill at the hotel in Marietta and I have been through a lot. I did 6,7, and 8 mile runs on that thing on early mornings. I don't have the patience to wait until after work to run; I like to get it done in the morning. I feel sorry for everyone who listened to me at 5AM, but I had a training schedule I had to stick to!
The 17 miler was one of my favorites. We had a good group of 6 of us that spent the whole run together. I came away from that run with confidence that I can run long distances, and new friends.
The 21 miler with my sis also stands out in my mind. We ran the last mile of that in 8 minutes 50 seconds. It was tough but we were a team. Looking back I don't think I could have done that long of a run by myself. Thanks sis, for waiting a week so we could run it together.
I almost feel like I am graduating to something. Here I have focused so much energy and efforts on a goal that will soon be a reality. I know I walk away from this experience a different person. I have confidence that if there is a challenging task ahead of me in my personal or professional life I can tackle it because I have run a marathon and that makes me strong.
What's my key to running the marathon? I am running this because I WANT to. I want to see what I am capable of. I want to do it for my parents who have been inspired and motivated to pick up running/walking by hearing about our training. I want to do it for my husband, who got me into this crazy sport, and lastly I want to do this for my sister. I couldn't imagine doing this with anyone else and getting so much from it. Together we are a team. I can already see us now holding hands and crossing that finish line together. Nobody can take down the "Twins in Cin."
Amber
There are a couple of training runs that stand out in my mind that I want to share with yall.....
On February 9th, before the Weeks/Myers family annual ski trip, Crystal and I completed 10 miles at Winton Woods after work on that Friday. The high that day was in the mere 20s, and it would have been the farthest we would have run. I remember watching the sun going down, thinking we must be losing it. I could have been doing about a hundred other things but instead decided to stick to the training and put my miles in. Crystal and I had a few fights while we ran. I thought she was running too slow, and now how the tables have turned. I have to struggle to keep up with her! I think she will be a Boston runner in the near future. What a difference running has made in her life. She is healthy, happy, and found a lifetime activity.
One early morning we attempted a 4 mile loop downtown which consisted of running over the bridges into KY. We of course made a wrong turn, and ended up doing about 5 miles. I blame it on the blond hair and lack of caffeine. I love running through downtown Cincinnati when it is relatively quiet. It is almost like the city and I share a secret. I feel it says "Don't tell anyone, but I got a softer, quieter side....."
The treadmill at the hotel in Marietta and I have been through a lot. I did 6,7, and 8 mile runs on that thing on early mornings. I don't have the patience to wait until after work to run; I like to get it done in the morning. I feel sorry for everyone who listened to me at 5AM, but I had a training schedule I had to stick to!
The 17 miler was one of my favorites. We had a good group of 6 of us that spent the whole run together. I came away from that run with confidence that I can run long distances, and new friends.
The 21 miler with my sis also stands out in my mind. We ran the last mile of that in 8 minutes 50 seconds. It was tough but we were a team. Looking back I don't think I could have done that long of a run by myself. Thanks sis, for waiting a week so we could run it together.
I almost feel like I am graduating to something. Here I have focused so much energy and efforts on a goal that will soon be a reality. I know I walk away from this experience a different person. I have confidence that if there is a challenging task ahead of me in my personal or professional life I can tackle it because I have run a marathon and that makes me strong.
What's my key to running the marathon? I am running this because I WANT to. I want to see what I am capable of. I want to do it for my parents who have been inspired and motivated to pick up running/walking by hearing about our training. I want to do it for my husband, who got me into this crazy sport, and lastly I want to do this for my sister. I couldn't imagine doing this with anyone else and getting so much from it. Together we are a team. I can already see us now holding hands and crossing that finish line together. Nobody can take down the "Twins in Cin."
Amber
Neighborhoods:
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home