Love in Elevator

So my Trainer was trying to kill me helping me get fit, and Aerosmith's Love in Elevator came on and I couldn't help but get excited. That's one of the songs they play in the Rockin Roller Coaster Ride in Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. And it happens to be my favorite ride at that park (well aside from The Great Movie Ride after a few drinks at Dad's Liquor Cabinet because that was awesome!). I got really pumped for my training for the Princess 1/2 Marathon. (PHM)

I mean I was so pumped, that I got dizzy from the effort. The hit man  Trainer said that it was the Anaerobic excercise we were doing. I was a little frustrated. Luckily, I recognized that I was headed towards feeling that way as last week I pushed too hard and then felt nauseous. It's no fun to feel like you are hung over without the shenanigans of drinking to go along with it!

My cute little Garmin Forerunner 15 was telling me my heart rate was up around the high  150-160 range.  I felt strong. Until about 4pm when I realized I didn't stretch after my workout. And  my legs felt  like Jello.  But hey! That's what they feel like at the end of the race.

My next mini-goal is to improve my time for the Ditka Dash 5K. It's this fun race where everyone gets aviators like  Da  Coach used to wear, a faux 'stach, and a race shirt that says Ditka on it like the Bears sweater he wore back in the 80s.  Apparently, these Anaerobic exercises and the sprints Dr. Death* prescribed will help me that.

Then it will be time to train for the Hot Chocolate 15K to qualify for a start corral  for the PHM.

*In all seriousness though, I really like my Trainer. We'll call him B. He's got some great energy and he's always smiling and he has good taste in music.  He pushes me when I need it and he has taught me how to approach my fitness. I look forward to our sessions even on days where he makes me stand on the Bosu and throws 10 lbs. balls at me.  

Finished the 1st 1/2 Marathon

Yes,1st. Because I am already registered for a 2nd and considering a 3rd! 

Not only am I proud I finished a 1/2 marathon but I'm congratulating myself on reaching my goal without giving up. In the past I would have quit four times by now. But I kept going. Step after step after step.

I've learned a ton about willpower. I actually have some! And I like working out. I crave the days my body can sweat out all of the stress and aggravation. I can thrown all the negative energy and things that are unfair in the world into my workout and physically feel it dripping out of my body. 

My goal was to complete a 1/2 marathon. I did. I did it in under 4 hours. I was still upright at the end. I was in pain and I walked funny for 2 days but I was upright across the finish line. I didn't run all of it. I hit my wall between mile 8 and mile 9. And that was okay. I ran farther then I ever imagined I could. I beat all the people who didn't have the courage to start. I did it once, I can do it even better the next time.

The next time will be in Walt Disney World at the 2015 Princess 1/2 Marathon. I will run through the castle with my best friend and sister-in-law. My goal will be to finish and enjoy such a fun race. (And to collect as much princess swag as possible. Other runDisney runners don't judge tutus and tiaras!)

The focus for July and 1/2 of August is strength training for weight loss. Then in late August and September I will switch gears and focus on training for the Ditka Dash 5K in September and the Hot Chocolate 15K in November. 

I've made peace with the treadmill. I have conquered the fear if the gym. I am ready, ready to run.

Dedication

So why a 1/2 marathon? Well for one thing I don't think a 5k is enough of a challenge. I think I'd allow myself to slack off and do just enough. I can walk a 5k no problem. Walking a 1/2 marathon, let alone run it, is another story entirely. I also really, really, really would like to do a race at Disney World and the Princess 1/2 Marathon in 2015 seems like a justifiable goal.


I've never particularly liked running. I played soccer in my teens and I don't ever remember enjoying laps around the field. I did enjoy being dedication to something. I enjoyed practicing. I enjoyed being outside. I enjoyed being a part of something.


Here is the part I like about running. I don't have to go fast. I just have to finish. I'm not trying to become an Olympian. I'm not even trying to be a winner. I'd prefer to be better than last, but if I am, oh well! At least I started in the first place. That's way better than those who never start.


So I'm super impressed with my perseverance this week. Despite a car accident, and a run in with the treadmill (pun intended) I kept to my training schedule. I woke up this morning and my body craved the physical activity. I could have used my ankle injury as an excuse. I chose not too. And to reward myself I bought some new exercise gear. So every time I put on my new shirt that says, "My Mascara Runs Faster Than You" I'm going to be proud of my dedication.

The year of the 1/2 Marathon

I spent 2013 attempting to make it the year of me. I spent a ton of time processing what I needed during a very difficult period of letting go of children I cared for and love. I decided a job change was required, and made that happen. I spent time connecting to those important to me as I realized that was missing. And I ended the year as a Mom to another set of four children. 

As January hit and I began 2014, I decided this year was going to be for me.  Like last year, there is a lot going on in my life that I have no control of. None. So I decided I needed to set a goal for myself that I had complete control of. Hence the year of the 1/2 was born.

Stay tuned as I blog about my journey to become a distance runner, even if its only for 2 races.

The year of the 1/2 Marathon

I spent 2013 attempting to make it the year of me. I spent a ton of time processing what I needed during a very difficult period of letting go of children I cared for and love. I decided a job change was required, and made that happen. I spent time connecting to those important to me as I realized that was missing. And I ended the year as a Mom to another set of four children. 

As January hit and I began 2014, I decided this year was going to be for me.  Like last year, there is a lot going on in my life that I have no control of. None. So I decided I needed to set a goal for myself that I had complete control of. Hence the year of the 1/2 was born.

Stay tuned as I blog about my journey to become a distance runner, even if its only for 2 races.