The Why’s… July 25, 2008

Two days ago while driving back from the gym, I told Nick that I felt so far from our goal and that at this point it seemed like I was reaching for the impossible. He then looked at me and asked me why I am doing this training. I told him a few reasons, and he suggested that I write them down and at moments of feeling discouraged, go back and read them. Well what better place to do it then here on our blog. He told me a few of his friends wrote a page about why they were enrolling in medical school so in moments of uncertainty they could remind them self of why…

I realized in that moment I had not taken enough time to think about the whys…aside from the obvious love I have for food. So I am writing my why, and will use this as motivation for myself. I am running this marathon to satisfy a personal goal. In a sense I want to learn how to train my mind, because I think having power over your mind is a powerful tool to use in all aspects of life. I have always struggled with the fact that many times in my life I have given up on things when they got too hard; but now I am ready to push myself in a way I don’t think I ever have. I am running this marathon to feel good physically and mentally; starting the day with a run, for me, is the most fulfilling. I am happier when I run and stay active. I am running this marathon for the reaction I get from others and the fact that I have always wanted to say I ran a marathon. If a 65 year old man can run one a year after a heart attack, a 24 year old can push her body to the same level. I running this because I am a goal setter and I cannot wait for the satisfaction I will feel of fulfilling and reaching a goal of mine. I am running this for all the cliches I have written about…this is for me…this is something I can call my own, and that I am finishing by myself, even though I running this with two awesome people. I am running this marathon for Meghan and Silvia, because if I somehow keep you all going the way you keep me going, I can’t back down…

So thank you for anyone who reads this, because seeing that someone else cares about this marathon makes it easier to push through the hard days.

Twenty Six…point two July 25, 2008

Have you ever really and truly thought about how far 26.2 miles would take you? Yesterday, while driving from Lexington up to Cleveland with Nick’s family, I not only witnessed what 26.2 miles looks like, mile post by mile post, I drove the entire distance in the car. I told Nick as we exited onto 271 that from this point to our exit in Shaker would be the distance of our marahon. Thanks to the nicely green posted mile markers, I watched each mile tick by until we reached the 26 mile marker. I felt so many emotions all in that 30 minutes of driving (yes, 30 minutes in the car, which you can only imagine it at a runners speed!); I felt motivated thinking about the feeling we will have after completing the run. I felt completely overwhemled and questioned myself and the probability of finshining. I have still not decided whether or not it was smart to sit there and take in the true distance; I mean sure on a tredmill you really arn’t able to comprehend the total distance, but driving it put it all in my mind. I ran 4 miles on Wednesday, and it was O.K. and yesterday Nick and I woke up early before the drive and I ran my 3 miles. We got to see Meghan for lunch on our way to Cleveland and it was nice seeing her and reminding myself even though I feel alone in the moments I am running and pushing through the challeneges, we are all in fact in this together. Meghan is without a doubt more ready for this training than I feel, but I will carry on. I think Meg had a good idea to hold our training at this week, and not one near the middle that is far more intense. I love my gym by the way!! I am so excited to find some classes I love and go on my off days to strength train. yay!!! Where you are you guys by the way? I am sending you both a little motivation in the mail, so look for it within the next few weeks!