There were 6 months to prepare for a half marathon and I was already consistently running 3-4 miles. I would have Beth to motivate and encourage me. It might be possible.
I had 3 initial fears.
- The arch of my foot would start to fall again.
- I was going out of the country, most likely nowhere to run, for 2 weeks in late June/early July.
- I wouldn't be able to run the entire 13.1 miles come race day.
The first one I knew I could control and chose to learn from my mistakes. (Insert eye roll, because I have to admit I messed up.) Once I knew I was fully committed to this half marathon thing, I went and bought my first real pair of running shoes. I know, I know, like 5 years too late, but they're expensive. So I did my research, took my mom with me to Academy to try on several pairs, and landed on navy and purple Brooks Ghost. Secondly, Beth and I made a schedule to pace ourselves. I didn't have to go out the next week and run 10 miles everyday!
A sneak peek of the Congo River view |
That last fear was the biggest hurdle to get over mentally. I've said before, I like to do things knowing I'll be successful. In cheerleading, I always knew I would eventually learn the dance, cheer, and stunt. In gymnastics, I knew it might take a lot of hard work, but with time I would land the front handspring, round-off back handspring. One day, I knew I'd be stubborn enough to not let my hand fall on an aerial cartwheel. The same went for band, FFA, and academics. You get the point. Running was a whole new ballgame for me, and one I didn't know what I was capable of doing or not doing. Yet again, I controlled what I could control. Practice, practice, practice. For the next 6 months, I would run like a half crazy person. Whatever happened the day of the race, at least I would know with confidence that I had prepared myself.
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