Full Blog:
A few months ago I received an email from Dr. Peeke. In the email she mentioned the More Magazine Half-Marathon and how she had spoken to most of the women that she emailed about signing up for the race. My immediate thought was she hasnt spoken to me. I have had this happen several times over the past few years when I needed a little push in my exercise routine. I wont have spoken to Dr. Peeke for quite awhile and then there is an email waiting for me. It is as if she knows I need another challenge.
I was not as worried about the distance since I ran the New York City Marathon with Dr. Peeke in 2001 and have done several other half-marathons. I think that my biggest concern was getting back into the training routine and being consistent. Consistency has been one of my biggest challenges over the years. I seem to find the time to be there for everyone and everything except myself. No doubt that many women find themselves in the same care taking scenario. Having raised 3 boys, two of them getting ready to graduate from college and my youngest a senior in high school, I am discovering that there are still so many things for me to accomplish. Another huge challenge is actually controlling the thoughts in my head keeping positive thoughts about my exercise program and making myself get out the door.
While I work out with a trainer three days per week, the aerobics part of my workout became my opponent. As I continue to work through my excuses I learn more about myself each day. There are always ups and downs during any training and this time was no different for me. I have had to overcome a foot injury and get back on the trail after an illness.
About a month ago, for the first time in a few years, I completed 13 miles. I almost talked myself into going home but I was determined to finish the distance. I felt so proud of myself that I was able to overcome the thoughts in my head that wanted me to quit. I find myself playing head games to keep out the negativity.
There are three more weeks to go until our trip to New York and I find myself a little anxious about this next half-marathon challenge. I have no doubt that I will finish, but second guess myself whether I will be in the shape that I should be. I look forward to the excitement of the race itself and getting back together with some incredible women who will be running the race also. Each new challenge makes me look back on the amazing journeys that I have taken in the last 8 years. If anyone had told me 20 years ago that in my 50s I would run a marathon, hike rim to rim of the Grand Canyon, hike a mountain in Aspen, Bryce and Zion, I would have said they were crazy. I look forward to the More Magazine Half-Marathon and hopefully many more challenges to come.
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