wannabe runner

I have a goal to run a half-marathon.  I've had it for a while, years actually.  At first I wanted to run the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon, it's my hometown and it's International!  You run over the Ambassador Bridge, a few miles through Windsor, Ontario and back through the Detroit/Windsor Tunnel.

A few years ago I got up early and went downtown to watch the runners.  My friend was running her first half and I wanted to cheer her on.  I stood around the corner from the finish line and was so inspired by the people in the race.  Some of them were running, slapping high-fives on the way by, some were walking, some where limping, some where crying.  I saw every age and shape running past me.  I began cheering everyone on, telling them the end was right around the corner.  If you ever get the chance to go watch a half-marathon or marathon I would suggest it!

I made the decision, right there on the streets of Detroit, that I would run a half-marathon someday. 

Over the past few years I've run here and there.  I've ran a few 5k's, never all the way. I take walk breaks.  For the longest time I couldn't run a full mile without walking.  I finally broke that but was stuck at 1.25 miles.  Either my head or my legs would tell me to walk.

Today, I FINALLY ran two miles without stopping.  It's not a huge victory and to some two miles is trivial but that was a hurdle I could never get over.  For the girl who walked the mile fitness test in Middle School and High School running two miles is huge!

Earlier this year I received an e-mail promoting Bourbon Country.  At the bottom of the e-mail was a little ad for the Urban Bourbon Half.  I was immediately hooked! I LOVE Louisville and the chance to run a half through the streets of Downtown was really appealing to me.  

The honest truth is, the half is 13 weeks away and I just don't know if I'll be ready.  I had a plan to run 3-4 days a week to train for this but since starting my six-week challenge I haven't run as much.  I really think the the cross training will be beneficial to my running but I just don't know if I'll be ready to commit to running 13.1 miles in 13 weeks.  

I'm giving myself a few more weeks before I either commit to it or choose a different event.  

Either way, I'm on my way to running a half-marathon.  I always thought running a mile without stopping was impossible for me.  Now that I've progressed the fire's been re-lit under my ass and I feel like maybe running the half isn't out of reach for me!