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Thinking About Running a Half Marathon—And Hell Begins to Get a Bit Chilly

running shoes

Is it time for me to lace up the running shoes? Credit: timtak

There has recently been a little jabber amongst the Fit Bottomed Girls team regarding taking on a half-marathon in the fall. My first thought was that walking it would be great. Fun fitness time together with gal pals.

But then I started to have crazy ideas. Crazy ideas about throwing some running into the mix. And then, after my brain digested those thoughts, I started thinking about running the thing. Running the whole thing.

Now. I have never been shy about proclaiming that running is not my favorite activity. I’m sure you could go into the archives and find at least 20 posts with that sentiment in there. I’d rather Zumba and walk and do workout DVDs until I’m blue (or red) in the face. But there is something appealing about this goal. About doing something, and conquering something, that I never really thought about doing. It’s appealing to have a challenge. A goal. Not to mention that a kick in the pants wouldn’t hurt when it comes to losing baby weight.

The 13.1 miles seems daunting—but not impossible. And with several months to train, hopefully I’d be able to gradually work up to increased mileage without injury. Granted, I haven’t run in a long while. (This was probably the last time…and it was for two takes of the video.) So I could go out for my first slow jog/walk and think myself insane. Or maybe after a month of training, I’ll decide to run/walk the race. Or maybe I’ll decide to run the whole thing. Who knows. But I’m going to find out!

Have you ever taken on a fitness goal you never even thought you’d consider? —Erin 

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Comments

16 Comments
  1. Katie H. says:

    This past weekend, I ran my fourth half-marathon. Before my first one, I literally could not run for longer than five minutes. I never thought I would be a runner, but now I am! And that feeling of crossing this finish line after running for 2+ hours cannot be beat. Talk about a runner’s high! I would definitely suggest a half-marathon.

    I just posted a few of the training plans I’ve used in the past on my blog 🙂

  2. Sarah McConkie says:

    DO IT! I am training for my first now (I have about 4 weeks to go) and it has literally been among the best experiences of my life. It feels so good to work toward something and have something to be excited about every single day. And, on top of that, I look and feel even better than I did before having my baby a year ago. I can’t say enough about how great training has been, even though it’s been hard as well.

  3. Holly Smith says:

    I think you’ll love it! It has been my favorite race distance, and what’s more fun than racing with your girlfriends? 🙂 Good luck!

  4. Kelli says:

    Ugh! This one’s staring me in the face, but I feel like you do – I’m just not crazy about running, so I keep pushing it off. 🙂 The biggest fitness goal I’ve already faced is that I did P90X. That was huge for me to stick with something so consistently for 90 days!!

  5. T.L. says:

    I loved the title of this blog because I have had the exact same thoughts!

  6. Colleen says:

    Do it! I never thought I would have run a half marathon a year ago and I just did a week ago. You will love the feeling of accomplishment after!

  7. Melissa says:

    Hello,
    I ran/walked my 2nd half marathon over the weekend. It had beautiful scenery but it was unbelievably hilly!! It doesn’t matter how you get there, just get across the finish line! My running partner was struggling with tendonosis and I was struggling with a terrible cold (I had a very hard time catching my breath in many instances) but we prevailed with the run/walk until about mile 7 when my calf/achilles started twinging!! Needless to say we walked the last 3 miles and then danced across the finish line!! So, it doesn’t matter how you get there, just enjoy yourself during the race!!

  8. Lisa says:

    Hey Erin! You should check out Motion Traxx’s Half Marathon Training Traxx! The non-stop music mix lasts over 2.5 hours and is designed to boost your energy, help you keep a solid pace in order to get the most from your training and help you finish fast on race day. Best of all, Motion Traxx offers the album at four different BPM options (150, 160, 170, or 180 BPM), so choose your speed and go. There are even audio cues every half hour to let you know how long you have been running for. You have some time before your race to train for your better half, so definitely check out the Half Marathon Training Traxx on iTunes!

  9. Kiya Krier says:

    2 goals I NEVER thought I would assign myself. Run a 5k in 30 minutes (I HATED running. Notice, hateED.) and do an unassisted chin-up.

    I completed C25K and immediately ran a 5k race in under 30! And managed to begin enjoying running too. I’m still working on that second goal, but I’m getting closer.

  10. Tiffany says:

    When I decided to make a change in my life by enrolling in a boot camp class, it didn’t include me running or hiking. But almost a year later and 31 lbs less, I’ve ran/walked two races (15k and 10k). When I seen your post on my feeder, I started laughing because I’ve been seriously considering doing a half-marathon! So, yes-never did I think this and now I’m considering doing something I never thought I would do! 🙂

  11. Courtney says:

    I just registered for my first half marathon. It’s in January 2013. I am not a runner either. Currently following a 5k training plan. Then will conquer 10k plan.Can’t wait to watch you progress as I progress. :S

  12. 2 years ago I had never run a race! Now I run half marathons regularly and running has changed my life significantly for the better! Check out my blog for some tips to keep you motivated. Great post! I will be following your journey 🙂

  13. MzHartz says:

    I’m another one of those Couch-to-5k-ers. I’m doing it with a friend after being challenged by another friend (who’s currently training for a marathon). Until I started training for the 5k, I always said that I had a much too bouncy body (specifically chest) to be a runner.

    We’re halfway through (week 5 day 2 yesterday) and I’m really getting into it. I still marvel at how much I lost my breath the first week, and now I’m not out of breath after the 8 minute run. My running buddy is unavailable until Saturday, but I now can’t wait that long to run, so I’m going to do w5d2 again tomorrow. I’m actually looking forward to the 20 minute run!

  14. ChachaSanchez says:

    I definitely think you should do it. I just completed my second and it was an amazing experience. The training is hard, and I chose to train during Northeast winter.. which meant lots of cold evenings when I’d have rather been snuggled up under a warm blanket than freezing my arse off running next to the iced over Hudson River. The feeling of accomplishment when I crossed that finish line, in my tiara and boa (Diva’s Half Marathon) and copped that very large bejeweled medal was worth every minute of it.

  15. Vanessa says:

    Gotta go a the half marathon! 🙂 you will do great! that is one of my next goals in my fitness process!

  16. Vanessa says:

    Go for it!!! you will do great! That is one of my goals..I hope to some day run a half marathon!

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