We did it!

Over a year ago, I posted about a goal that I've had in the back of my mind for most of my life, despite having a million excuses for not doing it. Now, I'm happy to report that my husband and I have finished not one, but two half marathons. For the longest time, this goal seemed far off and impossible. It kind of reminds me of grade school. When my sister, who is two years older, used to come home with her text books and do her homework, I'd think to myself "Her homework looks HARD! I'll never be able to do that!" But low and behold, two years later I was learning the same things.

And now that we've run a 1/2 marathon, it feels like no big deal! Walking around Disney World on marathon weekend and seeing thousands of other people with their medals, including full marathon and Goofy challenge medals (running 1/2 marathon on Saturday and full marathon on Sunday) made me feel like kind of a slacker for not going the whole distance. But in case you're wondering, this is NOT a current goal of mine, though I can't promise I won't want to pick up running in the future during a less hectic time in my life.

2010 was a sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating year of training. Making time for both Kyle and me to do long runs on the weekends and maintenance runs during the work week was often a logistical nightmare. We gave up sleep and time together, and shamelessly finagled free babysitting out of numerous friends and family (thanks again for your help-we owe you!)

In the end, it helped that this was a group goal. Kyle and several other mom friends from church as well as Kyle's sister and her friend were working for the same goal, and that helped to keep us all motivated. It was a seriously fun ride and now it is very rewarding to say "We did it!"

By the way, in case you're looking for that romantic photo of Kyle and I crossing the finish line holding hands, you won't find it. During both 1/2 marathons we parted ways around mile 10. The first time I left him, the second time he left me. Turnabout's fair play, he says!

Setting a Goal

A family picture before the Tyranena Beer Run 1/6th marathon

They say that those who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them, so I'll just say it: I'd like to run a half marathon. Lots of supportive friends and family have let me know they think I'm capable of running this distance, but I'm like that childhood playmate who, when challenged to do something particularly difficult says, "I could do that if I wanted. I just don't want to." Here are the reasons I often give for "not wanting" to run a half marathon.

1. I don't have the time to train. Taking 1-2 hrs out of my day to run seems like a waste when I have a baby, a husband, and a career to worry about.

2. Shouldn't I be devoting my time to something that actually helps people? Sure, long distance runners often say that their running is for this cause or that cause, but wouldn't it be better to spend the two hours a day it takes to train volunteering at a soup kitchen or something?

3. The American Heart Associate says 30 min of aerobic exercise a day is all that's needed for great heart health. So doing any more than that has very little health benefit and, to be honest, is probably unhealthy when you consider the wear and tear on your body and frequent injuries of runners.

4. I'm an extrovert. There's nothing fun to me about spending 2 hrs running through the woods by myself. An Ipod is no substitute for real human presence and conversation.

5. Running is an addiction. Let's just be honest. People who run a lot get addicted. Addictions are bad. I shouldn't need to "depend" on exercise like that.

6. If I run, I'll need to consume more calories. People in Africa are starving. Why should I do something that will cause me to need to eat more than my fair share of the world's food?

7. I don't have the appropriate running gear, and running gear is expensive. Besides, it's too cold to run in the winter in Wisconsin and there's no gear that makes it okay to run in -10 degree weather.

Yes, I realize these last three "reasons" are more "excuses" than anything else. So, runners, I hope you're not offended. I'm not writing these down to criticize you, but to clearly identify my roadblocks-the things that are keeping me from throwing myself into this. I feel at liberty to write these down because the fact is, in spite of all this, I want to run a half marathon!!!!

This past weekend, Kyle and I ran a sixth marathon. The running was fine until about mile 3, where the route conveniently went up hill at the same time we hit the proverbial wall. But when we were finished it felt so good! We weren't trying to set any records (and didn't, in case you were wondering ;) But there was something so refreshing about a nice run on a beautiful fall day, and having achieved a goal, however small it was.

Kyle and I finishing a measly 1/6th Marathon