My first goal of the new year

I wrote a post for Bodies in Motivation about a goal I'm itching to accomplish in 2010. A half-marathon. I've wanted to accomplish a long-distance run since I was a kid, standing on the sidelines of one of the many races my dad directed. My parents were runners. I was always a little bummed I never picked up the pastime.

I work in publishing, was an English major and write (for pleasure) much of my free time, but I don't have much desire to write a novel. Funny, I do have a desire to complete a marathon, even if it's of the half variety. Ambitions are odd.

You know, why don't I just do it then? I mean, come on, what's with me and the longing and lamenting and stuffing donuts in my whine-hole instead of just shutting the hell up and doing it already. I hate that about myself, that there's such a disconnect between my ambitions and my follow-through.

After reading the comments on my BIM post, I started looking around the marathon sites to see what was already planned for next year. In my mind, I knew I wanted to run in fall. For one, it's my favorite time of year. If I'm going to make myself do something that is wholly unnatural and painful, why not enjoy the weather. Also, November gives me a solid year to train. And training seems important when attempting something you're entirely unprepared for.

I came across the Big Sur marathon and half-marathon planned for November 2010. Funny, I was just telling my dad I wanted to bring Mike to Carmel. So, yeah. I think I may do this. I mean, finances and babysitting and lots of other logistic-type stuff permitting. I'd really love to do this. For me. For everything.

This is lofty, admittedly. But. Well. It's about time I proved to myself I can actually achieve goals, lofty or otherwise.

Let's do it.

Comments

[barbetti]

Yes, let's. You already know I'm in. I even starting looking for "how to train for a half marathon" books. Because I need all the help I can get.

[Heather]

You can definitely do it! You can also check the Running in the USA website too, but the Big Sur one looks awesome.

It is definitely time consuming, but well worth it, and Nov. is definitely enough time for you.

I hope to run one in Nov. too to help get me get back into shape after the baby is born!

[K]

Good luck. I think 2010 might be the year I complete my first half.

[Sharon]

That's awesome! Good luck! I started running in 2007, and I love it! I do a couple of 10k's every year, and it's my goal to do a marathon and a triathlon one day.

[Rachel]

I want to run one too, but I'm not sure that next year will be my year. I think that I'll stick to another 5K next year, and I'll move on to a half-marathon the following year!

[amieable]

Dude I might join you! My dad was also a marathoner and I started running last year. I'm going to look around for one next fall.

We (everyone who wants to) can totally do this.

[Candy]

I just did my first half in October, and there's no better feeling than completing something so huge after having a baby. I joined a local running group that had a 10 week training plan for getting me there. Admittedly, 10 weeks was too far too fast, and I did wind up injured because of it, but I'm about to do my second half on Thanksgiving, and my third in mid-December. :-) It's 100% worth the effort and time. A quick tip: sign up - right now - for a few 5ks and 10ks along the way to keep you honest in your training. I cruise www.runnersworld.com all the time, and get inspirational quotes from them in my email inbox everyday. If you ever want someone to cheer you on, or a shoulder to whine on in the process, feel free to drop an email. Go for it!! And good luck!!

[Jen]

I said to Roth the other day that I would like to "learn how to run." He thought that was so weird, like, just do it (stupid iconic slogans), don't you already know how? But I don't. I mean, of course I can make my legs go, but I've NEVER been a runner, always hated it in P.E., but there is something intriguing (could be the desire has just seeped into my subconscious from so many of the bloggers I follow writing about running and marathons as of late) about being able to run some distance without wanting to barf, kill myself or both at the end. And the thing about running is, you can pretty much do it anywhere, at any time, and it's free. I imagine it's also freeing, too.

So, yeah. I totally get the desire, but I'm not sure I'm cut out for it. Thinking on it, though ...

[Moose]

"Whine-hole" - HA HA! That is so me today.

I think a race is an awesome idea. Nothing like accomplishing something of that scope to make you feel like you can rule the world. (Not that I've ever run a marathon. But so you hear.) You can do it! RAH!

[Rebecca (Bearca)]

Go you!!! You can do it. This is awesome...

[Elizabeth]

I love half marathons! And I say yeah Jennie, for wanting to accomplish this. As long as you aren't trying to tell me that you aren't coming to the Blathering!

[merrymishaps]

I was never an athlete until I decided I wanted to start running a few years ago. Now I'm a total addict. Since 2005 I have completed 10 half marathons, one full marathon, and am training for my second full.

You have plenty of time to train, and if you do it right, you may even learn to love running! Let me know if you want help getting started :)

[Steph]

Oh I've always wanted to do a half marathon. It's actually on my 101 list, so I've got to get it done sometime before Oct 2011. I've been looking at the SF Nike Women's half marathon (Tiffany necklace at the finish? I do believe that's motivation!). Last year I missed the lottery, but I'm going to watch out for it better this time around. Though the Big Sur one is pretty close to us, and it looks beautiful! I may keep this in mind.

[natalie]

You can do it. Without a doubt!

[Nicole]

I did my first half-marathon last year and it was one the best things I have ever done. I know you will hear it from everyone, but please do stretch like crazy before and after. I found the stretches on the following link to be the best: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_1/126.shtml Good luck!!

[Shelly]

Good luck!

[Tara]

Awesome! Go for it! You can accomplish it if you truly strive for it. I never never never thought I would be able to run a marathon, especially since I started running in January 2008 as a New Year's resolution to get fit. But there I was on March 22, 2009 with 30,000 other people at the start of the Tokyo Marathon. And it was so worth the 5am runs and the exhaustion. Good luck! You'll be great. :)

[Natalie]

Great goal! If you can't go to Carmel, there is the Rock N' Roll marathon in San Antonio that one of my "cousins" runs. She says it is really fun!

[Amy --- Just A Titch]

Dude, I am so IN to do this with you. Maybe with motivation of a weekend in Carmel, I'll actually run...

[TUWABVB]

I need to sit down a write a goals list for the upcoming year - I was feeling a tad depressed over just turning 41 and I need to get my life on track. I know a race will end up on that list - but not sure I could make it to CA. Maybe there's a training run in the DFW area I could do with y'all before you head to Cali!

[Heather]

I had a New Year's resolution to run a half marathon this year...specifically the White Rock Lake marathon. But right after I paid for and registered for said marathon, I found out I was pregnant. And well, you don't just go from zero to running when you are pregnant. So, I *WILL* be running a half marathon next year, and I will cheer you on! And I will totally babysit if you need me to!