Saturday, March 21, 2009

Just Do It!

Good ol' Nike coming up with that little number. It's a great slogan don't you think? Well in the spirit of those commercials that make you cry, I have decided to "just do it".

So what is "it"?


a. Finally learn how to swim

b. Go bungee jumping

c. Run a half marathon

d. Apply for the Amazing Race

Think about it for a minute. Lock in your vote. And the answer is........

Here's a hint.
Buy-Running-Shoes-763054
C. As much as I want to apply for the Amazing Race, I realize it is not the season of my life to do it so instead I will run a half marathon.
This is a huge thing for me. I am not a runner. I never was. In my former life I enjoyed some softball, soccer, tennis, cheerleading, rollerblading, volleyball and ballet. But NEVER running.
I ran a little in college to try and keep those freshman 15 from turning into freshman 20. But my running was pretty hit and miss, and I never ran more that two miles.
Well a year after I had Eden, I had five pounds that just wouldn't go away. That's when I started running again. My friend Dawn convinced me that I could do it. I resisted at first but she is relentless so I finally caved. It took running and ballet to finally get rid of the extra five pounds. But still I'd only run a couple of miles and I kept it up mainly so I could eat cookies and chips without feeling guilty.
As the years have gone by I have pushed myself to become a 3-4 mile runner. I have been comfortable with that for the past couple of years. Then last summer my friend Amy decided she was going to run Hood to Coast, being the good friend that I am I decided I would train with her even though I wasn't running it. She pushed me to go five miles. I thought I was going to die. Seriously...it was hot and we ran up some vicious hills. I was so happy when she finished her race so that I could go back to my comfort zone.
So a couple of weeks ago my friend Meghann suggested that I run in a half marathon with her. I didn't even know how far that was! (it's 13.1 miles....in case you were wondering) Amy was doing it too and between the two of them they peer pressured me into registering for the May 16th race. Meghann trained last summer for one so she kindly gave me her training schedule...I have been at it for almost three weeks now.
Last week Amy and I ran six miles! That is the first time I have ever done that. I actually felt good about our time and my legs didn't fall off like I thought they would. But still six miles isn't even HALF the distance I will be running! Even though I felt good about the run I was still freaked out about this huge (um....$70 registration fee)commitment I have made.
And then as if it were a sign from heaven, The Biggest Loser episode last week had the contestants run a half marathon! It was so inspiring...I totally cried when they finished it. I'm pretty sure I will be crying when I finish my race. Probably a mixture of pain and accomplishment I'm sure.
So while the others that I will be racing with will be running their hearts out to beat their personal best, I will be running to just finish the darn thing. That will be my personal best.
Wish me luck my friends! I have seven weeks to either psych myself out, or accomplish a goal that I never thought I would do in this lifetime.
We'll see how this all turns out on May 16th. Hopefully Amy and Meghann won't have to drag me across the finish line on a stretcher.
chris_marathon_finish

23 comments:

doodooguru said...

Good for you girl. I HATE running. The only reason I run is because my children are in serious danger or there is a sport with a ball involved. I will be thinking about you while I eat Oreos on May 16th!

Melissa

Jenny Erazo said...

GO JESS! I totally hate running bu this summer I am going to do a sprint(half-triathalon) Not worried about the swimming or biking but running.....YUK!! Good luck to you. I can't wait to see the pictures of you crossing the finish line:-)

kc and k said...

Watching people finish marathons totally makes me cry too. You can do it!!! By the way, your little slugger is so cute. He reminds me of your brothers for some reason.

rikki said...

You can do it Jessica!! My cousin wasn't really a runner until a couple years ago and now it seems she's running half marathons every other weekend!
Keep up the training and remember to stay in good shoes :)

Melissa-Mc said...

Good luck! You can do it!

Lindsey said...

WOW!. That will be amazing! I am inspired, but not to run. I need to lose a few more lbs before I attempt that again. I think my body needs a little load off...Good luck! I am excited for you!

Jean McKendrick said...

Good luck, I know you can do it.

calibosmom said...

You can TOTALLY do this!!! We are twins remember and I have already done it so YOU CAN DO IT!!! WOO HOO! I am so proud of you. I can't wait to see the pictures of your success!

just the five of us said...

I watch the Biggest Loser too! I was so amazed that all of them ran that. I was a runner, but with my schedule, have been slacking major lately. My goal this year was to run the measely 5k and I got hurt and didn't finish training. Next year:D Good luck to you! It will be amazing for you, and just think little Camden will be cheering for you at the finish line:D

Lauren in GA said...

That is so amazing, Jessica!! I wish you luck and lots of endorphins, too!! I love how you are pushing yourself to do this. It is inspiring.

I have said it before and I will say it again...I only run if something is chasing me...nah, that wouldn't be motivation enough.

I am seriously proud of you!

just the five of us said...

Hey Jess, something that was told to me when I was running everyday. Every 100 miles you run, you need a new pair of good tennis shoes. It takes about 100 miles to break down a shoe. So buy a good pair to train in, and then buy a new pair and break them in before the race:D

AMY said...

I totally know you'll psych yourself U.P... not O.U.T. you silly :)

AMY said...

PS Are you ready for the 8 miler this week....?

Erin said...

Good for you!!! Halfs are my favorite race. :) You will feel so great at the end of the race--and finishing all of that training is a pretty big accomplishment in and of itself!

mahina said...

oh jessica, you are a woman after my own heart! i hate running! after nani was born i decided i would train for and complete some major event to keep me motivated and slim! so, i jumped in and registered to run a marathon with the leukemia society! yup, i know, super crazy!! i, like you, HATE running. i've always prefered travel by water! all of my family are fishes. that's way i totally prefer and LOVE triathlons!

i am happy to say, i survived it, it hurt, but i survived! I know you can to! you rock!

i will never do a marathon again, but i may just need to follow your inspiration and do a half marathon this year because i have a good 20-25 pounds to lose and i am seeing NOTHING of these pounds falling off like they previously have after baby! ugh!

Becky said...

Good luck! I thought about training for something like that to give me some reason to exercise harder (or at all at times). I'm totally with you on the amazing race thing!

Leah said...

Wow. That is crazy! So not ever tempted to do that. I'm tempted to do the other 3 on your list though! You will be in the best shape of your life.

Penny said...

Good for you!! I don't really like to run, but have been thinking lately that sometime I will do a half marathon. Don't you love that commitment... "Sometime". I saw the Biggest Loser too and was inspired. One thing I want to do too is take a dance class, that is something you like too right? Well, good luck, you rock!

Ilene said...

You crazy girls. I totally admire you but still think you are crazy.

And I wonder why I still have 10 pounds that won't go away.

I should run, huh?

Janelle said...

Which race are you running? I was supposed to run the Ogden half that day but Brooke has a dance competition at Lagoon and Kali has a softball tournament in Logan. Maybe next year! Ogden is my favorite if you make a habit out of this running thing! Good luck!!

kthom said...

Very, very impressed! I am not a runner but managed to actually finish 2 5ks last summer/fall. It was the best feeling and kinda enjoyable at the same time. And that was just a measly/meesly-5k! I can't wait to start running again after this babe is born. If you are already doing 6 miles (wow) and feeling good...you'll totally cruise through a 1/2. Can you use an Ipod on the race? Half the fun is getting your playlist ready.

Jason Alisynn and kids said...

Hey Jess! I just printed my training sched for my 1st 1/2 marathon. Great minds really do think alike!! I am a little nervous about doing it, but really excited to actually acomplish such a feat. Good luck in your training and race and sens any pointers my way. I can use all the help I can get!!

Nurse Graham said...

So would that be the Windermere 1/2 that you are doing? If so, I am too. I was so excited to find a race that was actually held on Saturday and local so I signed up before the...ahem, $70 registration fee went into effect.

Good luck and maybe I'll see you out and about in your neck of the woods since that is where I go to run--much more runner-friendly over there then in my area.

I'll look for you on race day.