You’re so right…it wasn’t until I embraced being “uncomfortable” — i.e. started RUNNING — that I realized what I was capable of doing. I CAN do this!

Thanks again!

Jen

I am absolutely working hard to get those miles in…even, like you said, on those days when I really just don’t feel like it. I’ve also been watching what I eat even more closely (you’re so right about the alcohol, as much as I hate to admit it)…it does make such a big difference.

It seems like my whole life revolves around running now, and I kind of love it!

You’re right. I know you’re right. There is NO reason I can’t do this! I will keep repeating this to myself over and over until race day. So much of this whole running thing is mental, isn’t it?

And thanks for the race day strategy — you’re right, breaking it down like that that does make it seem a (little) less scary!

Thanks again, I really appreciate the support!

Jen

Now about the half marathon…. I’ve ran two and I distinctly remember the months/weeks leading up to my first one and I was terrified. I mean, who decides to run 13.1 miles for fun???!! Here is my advice to you:

1. Trust your training program. Learn it, live it, do it. Many a mornings I was tired and didn’t want to run ALL OF THE MILES I knew I had slated on my training that day. And then I would do the math of how many days until the race and ZOMG! Suddenly I was out of bed and running. It’s so important to get those miles in. And in the last 4-6 weeks set aside other distractions that may take you away from your training. I gave up alcohol – even 1 drink would make a run harder the next day. Get to bed early and be rested so you can give your training runs all you got. And when you do your “long runs”, I had read that you should try to run a full minute slower than you normally run your short runs. It helped me to pace myself better.

2. You now know that you are capable of anything you put your mind to! You’ve lost a ton of weight on WW, you’re running, you’re running faster than you ever have, and … I’m sure you’re a “go getter” kinda of gal who when you want something, you do what it takes to make it happen! Think about this run in the same way. There is really no reason why you can’t do it. You have done the work and by golly you are going TO DO THIS.

3. The night before your run, you’re going to be freaking out and maybe having nightmares. It’s normal. Everything will be fine! Trust me!

4. During the run, try not to think about OMG! THIRTEEN MILES!!! It helped me to think of it in segments. “I can run 5 miles, easy, do it 3 times a week”. That got me to 5 miles. Then, “my long run got me 10 miles, I know I can run 10 miles”. That got me to 10. At 10 miles, I had a “Gu” to give me some extra energy, I drank a bunch of gatoraid to replenish my electrolights and said “3 miles? BRING IT ON.” The goal is to finish. And you will finish!

5. YOU CAN DO THIS. You can. Really, you CAN do this.

Congrats on the 5K — that’s awesome! You can do it…I started as a walker, too. You just need to take one step at a time (no pun intended!) and work your way up to running slowly and gradually.

I would LOVE to do the Disneyland Half…not gonna lie, I’ve been seriously considering it. Personally, I think that could be plenty of time to train, and you can always walk portions of the race, too. Definitely check out the Couch 2 5K program (on coolrunning.com) if you haven’t already, and then you can work your way up from there — most half marathon training plans are 3-4 months, and I used one designed for beginners (also on coolrunning). Keep me posted!

Thanks again!

Jen