Friday, October 30, 2009

It's Game Time

Guess who's running a half marathon tomorrow?

Me!!

I've been thinking about this half marathon since I registered for it back on June 18th. Do you remember when I told you about that? It doesn't seem like it was over 4 months ago. I have made so much progress since then, though. I'm back in shape and finally feel like I can once again say, "I am a runner."

When I tell people I am training for a half marathon, the most common response is, "I could never do that."

Well let me tell you - I am living proof that anyone can run a half or full marathon (except those with injuries that prevent them from running). Believe me when I say I do not have an athletic bone in my body. I got music abilities from my mom's side and book smarts from my mom - but I somehow totally missed out on my dad's athletic abilities. Seriously - I was always the super uncoordinated kid. Oh, and my only memory from playing basketball was scoring a basket at the last second - FOR THE WRONG TEAM.

Ouch. That was awkward.

Ok, back to the theme of this post (I swear I have one). It's not a question of whether or not you can run a half marathon. It's a question of whether you want to.

It takes a special person to train for these races. It requires dedication, discipline, and and a stick-to-it attitude. It means saying no to happy hours and saying yes to logging miles on local running paths or the treadmill. It means getting up early on the weekend to get in your long run.

But if you enjoy it, all the trade offs are so worth it.

I'm so glad I discovered the sport of running. The feeling I have about tomorrow's race is probably comparable to the way the point guard felt the night before a big game - that's something I never had the opportunity to experience.

So on Saturday morning, I'll throw on my running gear and head to the starting line with the hopes that the culmination of the last 4 months of hard work will pay off and will potentially result in a PR.

So what is my goal? Well, my 1/2 marathon PR is 2:17, but the half split from my marathon was 2:09, so here are my goals:

Easy Goal - 2:16 (gives me a PR)
Medium Goal - 2:11 (means maintaining a 10 min mile, which I've been doing in my long runs)
Hard Goal - 2:07 (approx 9:40 min miles, beats my unofficial PR from my marathon 1/2 split)

So wish me luck & please pray that it doesn't rain. So far the forecast is looking good, but you just never know in Minnesota!!

I'll be back with a race report on Sunday!

What are you all doing this weekend? Any fun Halloween parties?
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14 comments:

  1. JOctober 30, 2009 at 6:41 AM

    Good luck in the half tomorrow!

    You mentioned in your comment that you wanted to qualify for Boston..Have you run a marathon! If you have you are one step ahead of me. I am not even sure I will ever run a marathon. my knees tend to hurt a lot after just 9-10 miles.

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  2. BeckyOctober 30, 2009 at 8:00 AM

    Have a great race tomorrow!

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  3. UnknownOctober 30, 2009 at 8:08 AM

    Most impressive, young lady!! I do hope this rainy weather goes away, although the temperature might be comfortable for running. Enjoy your accomplishments!

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  4. MandyOctober 30, 2009 at 8:10 AM

    Best of luck tomorrow Lisa! I can't wait to hear about the race on Sunday.

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  5. AnonymousOctober 30, 2009 at 9:16 AM

    Good luck tomorrow! I'll be thinking positive thoughts for you all day =)

    Can't wait to hear about it!

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  6. aimeeOctober 30, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    good luck tomorrow. i know you'll do a great job!!

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  7. AbbyOctober 30, 2009 at 9:49 AM

    Go Lisa!! You have some awesome goals for tomorrow! I am so excited for you. Wish I could cheer you on, and greet you at the finish line with a big hug and some hydration!!! :)

    All your hard work has paid off! You are in incredible shape now--and you look A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.! :)

    Best of luck tomorrow!

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  8. Little FishOctober 30, 2009 at 1:12 PM

    Guess who'll be thinking about you running a half marathon tomorrow while she sits on her couch? Me!

    Seriously, that's awesome and I'll be sending lots of good thoughts your way.

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  9. AmberOctober 30, 2009 at 1:32 PM

    I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU!

    Just think, this time next year we will be running together :D

    Can't wait to hear all about it!

    Oh, and I couldn't agree MORE with this post. Even though I DID play a lot of sports as a kid I was never very good at it and had to work HARD to be good at sports. I can't believe I'm a runner now and I kind of love the look on people's faces when I tell them :-)

    Will be thinking of you all morning tomorrow! Email update when you're done, please? :-)

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  10. Lisa-MarieOctober 30, 2009 at 2:08 PM

    Good luck lovely! You will be AMAZING!

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  11. crystalOctober 30, 2009 at 5:48 PM

    Good luck! Sounds like a great way to spend Halloween :)

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  12. KellyOctober 30, 2009 at 8:06 PM

    Good luck!!!! I really want to run a half some day, if my knee every allows it. I know I can do it (at least the rest of me can). I hope all goes with with your race this weekend!

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  13. AnonymousOctober 30, 2009 at 9:59 PM

    Good Luck!
    Erm, I mean, have a great race?
    What IS the right thing to say to a runner? Maybe both, right?

    I'm working. Since butt-husband and I do not have human babies (and only furr-babies), I was nice and scheduled myself to work in place of my co-workers who do have human babies. I can be nice,...sometimes. :P

    Anyway, have fun! And I'll be hoping for great weather!

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  14. qwerkyqookOctober 30, 2009 at 10:25 PM

    good luck tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you! I thought I'd give you this link I found, looks like a delish post race meal, GF of course.

    http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/photo/Quinoa-with-Grilled-Zucchini-Garbanzo-Beans-and-Cumin-242997

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