Always a learning Experience

Running has never been a passion of mine.

Well, at least not long distance running.

I used to run the 100 meter and the relay when I was a young chicken, 
but never ever in my sane mind I would have considered running long distance. 

That is kind of funny, 

because back when I was in College (yeah, it was not that long ago) I had "running a marathon" on my bucket list. 

Weird. 

I don't know who wrote that :)

Fast forward 10 years, more or less, my friend Dawn kept asking me if I wanted to run a 1/2 marathon with her. She was really persistent, but she is also really sweet and genuine person all around, so in a moment of craziness and weakness I gave her my word to run (and train) with her. 
I said: Ok, I'll do it. What do I need to do?

I went home that Sunday afternoon and put my "running" shoes on, 
told my husband: I am going to run 3 miles. And there I went. 

I admit, I came back home barely alive. 

I just went out and ran a 5k. 

Let me remind you that people actually train for that.

See, I am not completely sane...

It really hit me that I was going to run 13.1miles in just 12 weeks (make that 10 weeks, since I ripped a toenail halfway through my training...by tripping in the middle of the night).

If running a half marathon made me half crazy...then running a complete marathon makes me completely crazy.

Why am I doing this?

Running is not all about being physically fit. You can be/feel/look fit, but you may very well not be able to run long distance.

Running is being physically AND mentally "fit".

You got to believe that you can.

You have to set a goal and do everything you can to reach that. 

It's about mental training as much as physical training. 

It's about pushing yourself to a new level. 

It's about endurance of the body and of the mind.

It is also important that you refuel your body appropriately. Like a car running out of gas, will stall and stop moving. 

I guess it's good that I carb load everyday...

So what I learned from running?

I am a social runner. 

During a run, I'll laugh and talk and occasionally do something really fun like break dancing...

I also learned that the hardest part is hitting the wall...So I had to train my mind to push that limit, break that wall and just keep on moving my legs.

Then again, it's in my head.

When you say you can't...then you just can't.

Daniela

In 11 days I will be running my very first 26.2