I registered for my first race ever!
On September 25th, 2011, I will be running the
Women Run The Cities 10-Miler! I am really excited, and really freaking nervous!!
After a long (albeit drunken) talk with good friend Micaela (who is a phenomenal woman, and runner) and watching the Boston Marathon yesterday I decided to take the plunge!
I don't talk about it a lot on the blog, but I has a slight obsession with running, and runners. But I don't actually run. I would love to, and one of my major life goals is to finish a marathon. I have talked about getting into running for years, but haven't gotten further than week 2 of the Couch-to-5K program. I told myself, and even advertised on the blog that I was
going to run the Valentine's Day 5k this year, but I made that decision before realizing that I had a (huge) dance competition that day, and I wasn't going to be able to do both. After that realization, signing up for a race fell to the wayside, for one reason or another (i.e. lack of time, weather, self-doubt, my weight, shin splints).
But after talking with Micaela, I realized I was being a wuss, and learned some very important things...
- I need take Nike's advice, and Just Do It! No excuses, I have to just get up, and start walking, then running, and hopefully the rest will come.
- I don't have to be an athlete to be a runner... I just have to run.
- It's ok to start out slow. It's been months since I have worked out regularly, and hearing that it is ok to start by just walking a couple of miles a day before even starting a run/walk program puts me at ease.
- Spending the money on the race will help push me to get going. I am poor, I can't afford to just throw away $40.
- I'll have a running buddy, and buddies make it better. Right now I don't have anyone to run, or even work out with! And I know from past experience that committing to working out with someone totally holds me accountable. And with Micaela (who lives over an hour away) moving back to the Twin Cities in 2 weeks, and I am geeked to run with her!
Fundamentally these are all things that I already knew. Having someone close to me, who has experience in the sport reiterate all of these things makes it more feasible, and relaxes me about it. But we are our own worst critic, and I hate to fail/disappoint myself and others. But I think I will regret not taking the risk more than never trying.
So, here goes nothing!
Labels: exercise, running, women run the cities
