Well, this is it – my last day of freedom before I start half-marathon training! I’m still not really sure how I got sucked in to this (*cough* JENNI PETERS *cough*), but let me tell you a little bit more about myself. My name is Tina and I have worked at Varsity Sports as their Graphic Designer for the past 5 years, and I’m not really a runner. In fact, I’m not very athletic at all. I’m a graphic designer, wine lover, and wannabe fashionista, but running has never really fit into my repertoire. I mean, I have a pretty solid Nike Tempo collection and a few pairs of really clean running shoes, but that’s about it. Until now. I have committed to going through Jenni’s infamous Half-Marathon Training this year and document it all here for you to follow along/laugh/wince in pain.
Even though training doesn’t start until tomorrow, I wanted to write this tonight for all of you “on-the-fencers.” I’m sure there’s a few people out there that would love to give it a try but are a little intimidated scared to death (ME!), and I hope this will help push you over the edge. I’ll be honest with you – if I hadn’t committed to this, right now I would be coming up with all sorts of excuses for not going to that informational meeting tomorrow…
“Ohh, that’s today?? Darn, I forgot all about it… and I didn’t bring my shoes, soo…”
So why do I even want to do this?? I’ll give you five good reasons:
- I’m turning 25 this year. More and more, I find myself analyzing nutrition labels in the grocery store, eyeing the anti-aging skincare line, and wondering why on earth can’t I stay up past midnight anymore?? I know that now is the time to start taking care of myself and forming healthier habits.
- I’ve always admired runners from afar. I’ve always secretly wished I could be one, but never really thought I could. In high school, I wanted to try out for the track team, but I was too chicken. In college, I wanted to run the lakes instead of speed-walk, but I was too chicken. Ever since I started working at Varsity and saw how much fun the running group had, I wanted to join in, but guess what? I was too chicken. I mean, it’s gotta end somewhere, right?
- I hate it when people think I can’t do something. Don’t get me wrong, I’m surrounded by wonderful, loving, supportive people. But I know what they’re thinking! My mom stifled a laugh when I told her I was going to train for a half marathon, my boyfriend thinks knows that I would back out of it if I could, and my friend’s exact words were, “Like, 13 miles STRAIGHT? WHY??
- I found the PERFECT half-marathon for me. It’s called Napa to Sonoma. You run from Napa to Sonoma. And there’s a lot of wine involved.
- I have no choice. Not only did I tell Jenni I would do it, I said I’d write a blog about it too! I really can’t back out now even if I wanted to. I did this on purpose because I knew I would need that extra push. So if you’re like me and you’re thinking about backing out, try telling everyone you know about your half-marathon plans. Tell your mom, tell your co-workers, tell the lady behind you at the grocery store. Your friends and family will want to ask you often about your progress, and you want to have something to tell them, right?
So what are your reasons for wanting to run a half-marathon? Are you a first-timer like me or an ultra-marathoner?
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*DISCLAIMER: Jenni didn’t force me to do this. I wanted to join the group and she encouraged me, and so has everyone else in the group that I’ve come across. This has to be the sweetest, most supportive group of runners I’ve ever come across and you’d be crazy not to meet me at City Park tomorrow at 5:30pm! I hope you’ll find comfort in the fact that you won’t be the only scared-to-death newbie out there, so don’t “forget” to pack those running shoes and I’ll see you there!
