I have been terrible about keeping up with this since school and training started - I honestly am not sure how I get through some days without a smidge of narcolepsy. (Okay, maybe I've fallen asleep at my work desk a time or two.) But, I'm happy to say yesterday concluded my first month of training for my first half-marathon! And I really couldn't be happier with my progress! I didn't miss a single run, didn't short out a single run, didn't quit! I've run through ice, snow, rain, 25mph winds, 100% humidity, fog, sleet. I've done it all and I'm still going. I ran every single scheduled run, and although I may not have had a smile on my face the whole time, I was glad I pushed through each time. I can honestly say there isn't much better than that "high" I get after a run, especially a challenging one. There's something inspiring about fighting through an entire 4.5 miles, constantly wanting to stop or take a break, feeling that cramp in your right side, and STILL finishing it anyway. Running is constantly pushing you to be better. My running shows me how strong I really am.
Yesterday, I had a 6 miler scheduled with Kristina. And it was beautiful outside! If you're a runner and you didn't take advantage yesterday, you need to smack yourself. In the face. Twice. I wore running tights and a long sleeve Nike coldgear shirt, and that's it. On February 5, in Illinois. How lucky am I!? I would have to say, hands down, that it was the best run of my life. I was happy the entire time, not once was I out of breath, not once did I wonder how much farther we had to go. I felt like I could have run for days..okay, maybe 10 miles. We finished up at 6.24 miles in 66:53.
But it was amazing. If you've never experienced a runner's high, then you won't understand, but it is days like yesterday that make me appreciate every bit of the sport that is running. I LOVE RUNNING! It is a gift that I've been given and I can't imagine ever stopping. Running does for me what hours of therapy, hours at the gym, hours getting a massage could never do. It clears my mind. It improves my body. It released endorphins and gives me much needed time with nature. It makes me PROUD to be me.
On top of being proud of myself, I am blessed to have my running partner Kristina. She's the reason many days that I'm able to push on. She challenges my pace and pushes me to be a better runner. As amazing as I feel after a run, watching her push through makes me even more proud. I love reaching my goals, but seeing my friends exceed theirs makes everything worth it. We've both come a long way, and we've still got a long way to go.
As Kristina would say: Beastmode: ON!
