Think you Can?


In the beginning, I didn't think I could run. In high school I constantly told myself I was not the running type. 
I was right.
Then at some point, I though to myself, maybe I could run. I tried a little bit at a time. I decided to sign up for a 5K, trained for it & finished. Then I decided I wanted to run a half marathon, I signed up for Hartford in 2007, but slacked with training and doubted myself. I told myself I couldn't do it.
I was right. DNS.
I signed up for the Kona half marathon with Train to End Stroke with my friend Monica in 2008. I was so busy telling her she could do it, I started to believe that I could to.
I was right. We finished our first half marathon.
I did a couple more 5Ks, half marathons, and set my eye on a triathlon last year. I was beyond nervous, but had 2 friends to cheer on. Can you tell that while I'm convincing others they can do it, I start to convince myself? I told myself that I would make it through the swim, bike & run.
I was right. I teared up crossing the finish line.
With a few more half marathons under my belt, I finally felt ready to tackle my ultimate goal. The Disney Marathon. Every day I tell myself I can do this, that finishing Disney will be amazing. That I can & will stay focused on my training in order to be successful come January.
I will be right.

What will you be right about?

Week 3 Training Recap
Monday- Rest Day! Much needed after the Diva Half Sunday!
Tuesday- Morning Bootcamp. My right lower leg & knee were killing me, full of knots. I couldn't do any of the jumping activities at bootcamp & took it easy. After work, I rode for an hour on my bike trainer while watching desperate housewives. A massage that night, following by a night in my CEP compression socks helped my leg a ton.
Wednesday- Treadmill speedwork. Along with my CEP socks, my knee survived. The speeds were tough, but I made it through every one without having to slack.
Thursday- morning Bootcamp. It was 40 degrees & freezing & she made us go outside!! I was bundled up with gloves and a pullover. I didn't push it too hard since I didn't want to aggravate the knee with another race so soon. Rocked the Zensah sleeves day & night.
Friday- Treadmill Tempo! 1 mile easy @ 5.4 mph, 5 miles @ 5.8mph, 1 mile @ 5.4mph. Tough to get through, but managed to make it with a few stops for more water. I had the treadmill set to random hills to add a little variety.
Saturday- Rest Day. Was hoping to get a bike ride in after work, but had a beer instead. whoops!
Sunday- 10.4 miles in 2:06:45. Average pace 12:11, a little slower than target. We tried a new route with lots of hills to get some practice in before next weekend.

Nutrition- Hasn't been the best, but better than last week. Still need to cut back on the beer. I got in more of my protein shakes, and tracked points a little more, but not consistently. My goal for next week is to track all my points faithfully.

I'm looking forward to a great training week and the Hartford Half Marathon on Saturday!






4 comments:

Unknown said...

Great post.

I hope i'm going to be right about being able to ride 54 this weekend at Day of the Tread!!

CupCake@ Bigger Girls Can Run Too said...

Seriously, probably one of the most inspirational posts I've read. Thanks Steph, because this is just what I needed with my first half looming over my head this week.
I know that I can totally bust this thing out and be proud of myself.

You totally rock my socks lady!!

Lauren said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lauren said...

I'm reposting this just to add one thing...
My last positive thinking moment (for my running, anyway) was when I was running the half marathon in Corning last weekend - the weather wasn't fantastic, it was between 5-8 C and rainy. Not exactly the best weather to be in to be going for a personal record. But, I thought going in that I could run under 1:50 (I was going for 1:45 initially but re-evaluated race day for around 1:47) and finished at 1:48. Maybe not my initial goal but it was 3 minutes faster than my last PR, so I was quite pleased that I was able to do it. Next up - going under 50 minutes in my next 10km race!

 
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