Bring on 13.1
Two years ago this girl never would have considered running a mile.
One year ago this girl was training to run her second 5K in under 37 minutes.
One week from today I will be running my first half marathon. I’ve come so far and I’ve worked so hard, and I’ve never wanted anything so bad in my life. And its SO CLOSE I can taste it. I cannot wait to get out there and run 13.1 miles. Cannot WAIT.
I set out on my long run today hoping to run 10 or 11 miles, as my last long run before the race.
At mile 1.6 a huge black cat crossed my path and I got a little worried.
At mile 6.0 I decided I was going to run 12 miles today.
At mile 8.0 I realized I am not crazy. I love running.
At mile 11.0 my legs were hurting, but I kept going.
At mile 12.0 I stopped, but I could have kept going if I had to.
I finished 12 miles in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds, keeping a pace just under 10:00/mile. Unbelievable.
Another PDR!!!!
Pre-run breakfast was two waffles with almond butter and jam.
Post -run I refueled with a Gatorade and part of a Clif Z Bar. I took a short ice bath, and made whole wheat oatmeal pancakes for lunch! Who says you can’t have two breakfast meals in one day?
Every once in a while, usually while I’m running, I think about the person I used to be. The girl who didn’t exercise and who was uncomfortable in her own skin. She lacked direction and didn’t have many goals. She acted happy but deep down inside she wasn’t, really. She knew there was something more to life and she knew she had potential for something big. She knew, she just had to find what that something was. Well, she found it. Even though she’s tired and a little bit sore, she’s incredibly happy and feels a sense of satisfaction in completing the goals she set for herself. And nothing feels better.
Bring on 13.1!
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21 Comments
Heather
a) i am crying.
b) i am so proud of you.
c) this is exactly what i needed to face my 4 miles! THANK YOU!
xoxoxoxox
Jen
I am so proud of you too heather! <3<3<3
Heather @ Side of Sneakers
Congrats girl, what an awesome accomplishment, and what a fantastic journey you’ve been on the last few years!
Marci
Great recap of a training run! Good luck with 13.1, you’ve got it! I’m running my first Half in December, and I am scared and excited too. Love reading about other people’s first half experience.
Cynthia (It All Changes)
WOW Jen! You have come so far and I can’t wait to celebrate you finishing your 1/2 marathon. You have done amazing things and continue to be amazing!
abbi
Posts like this always make me tear up. What an amazing accomplishment and you’ll rock the half!
Alicia
Thats great!!! Your such an inspiration! I can’t imagine running that distance, but some day I will!!
Jennifer@ knackfornutrition
I did not know about your struggles with weight. Not going to lie, that makes me all the more excited to run this race knowing that you are doing it too. Your before picture shocked me, but not so much as your ‘after’ of running a sub 10 min mile for 12 miles. We are going to own next weekend. Bring it on!
Jackie
i am so proud of you, you are an amazing person. i love you!
Erin
Wow, this is SO inspirational! You are a true example that you can accomplish anything you put our mind to.
Angela
congrats on all your accomplishments!!! i started running 4-5 years ago and fell in LOVE within 30 seconds. good luck on your race:)
David H.
Enjoy this week leading up to the race. Get lots of rest and then go knock it out!
Katie Kidalowski
Simply amazing… congrats Jen!
Katie @ Healthy Heddleston
Great job! You are making me excited for my half too! I can’t wait to see your half recap next weekend! Again, great job!!
Christina @ Food.Fun.Fabulous.
Good luck next week! I know you will do great 🙂
Katie H.
Wow Jen you are amazing! What a great run. I love the last paragraph that you wrote. I’m so happy for you 🙂
jilly
My story is very similar to yours… I lost 40 pounds in 2009, started running (again) and the Mohawk Hudson 1/2 marathon is going to be my first 1/2 too!
(I am a A LOT slower than you though…maybe it’s because I didn’t incorporate any speedwork into my training.)
Good luck on Sunday… you’re going to KILL it!And enjoy your sense of accomplishment. You’ve earned it!
Jen
Thank you! You too!
Liz @ LBBakes
Wooot, you’re gonna do awesome this weekend! Get excited 🙂
Christina
I feel like I’m your “1 year ago” person and you just gave me that little push I needed! Thanks so much and congrat’s on the run!! What an amazing job you did! And you know what, you can run, live a healthy life and have beer to! That’s why I love your blog! lol
Felice
Congrats, congrats!!
And, good luck in the half. Have fun!