run...run...repeat

The road to running my first half marathon...

Long distance running.  3 words I never thought I'd ever utter or do, but the last almost 4 weeks have proven otherwise!  (And in the middle of a NY winter no less).  Thankfully the snow has been kept to just the one huge blizzard as I started training with about 10 weeks to go til my first half marathon.

End goal is to run the 2016 Shape Women's Half Marathon in Central Park on April 17.  I haven't signed up yet, figuring I'd try running on a training plan while monitoring progress each week.  Everyday I made baby steps in personal best progress, including trying to run in 19 degree weather (I don't recommend it...think...eyeballs frozen).  It wasn't until my long run at the end of week 3, last Sunday, that I felt it was a possibility.  I ran 8 miles for the first time in my life!  I was ecstatic.  The change over these weeks has surprising to watch: went from barely being able to run 1 mile without stopping to walk at week 1, to hitting 4 miles only a short work week prior to the 8 mile feat.  The half marathon felt like more of a possibility that day!

As I come to the end of week 4 training, I can't say it's been easy to get up in the morning and push through the training runs, but I do what I can to get out.  Best effort counts right??  This week's long run on the weekend will be 9 miles.  When I complete that, I'll sign up for the big race.  The rest of training won't be easy, I'm finding it hard to push through, but it's motivating to think of running with all the other women and friends (Laura will be running too again!).   Support group is key.  Laura & Justin ran the NY Marathon last year and they are my cheerleaders everyday.

I've tried to document my progress on Strava and with photos.  Here are a few of my favorite pics showing monuments I see, weather I encounter, and sites I'd never thought I'd reach by running to them instead of biking.   Follow me here, on instagram, and all other social media for more updates.  See you at the finish line!

(images by: vivien chin) 

Posted on February 26, 2016 and filed under etc-.