Two years ago at a work holiday party, my colleagues and I played a game in which we had to list three future goals, and the group had to guess who the author was. Number one on my list was, “Run a half marathon.” Unsurprisingly, no one in my department guessed that it was me who wrote those words.
Now, it could have been because I was four months pregnant with Mimi at the time (and already showing), but it still stung a bit.
But not for much longer …
Yup, I’ve done it. I’m officially registered for my first half marathon: the Boston Run to Remember Half Marathon on Sunday, May 26.
Love this race and everything it stands for. Also, it doesn’t hurt that it’s supposed to be a flat and fast course.
One thing I’m not so excited about is the 7am start time. Ouch. I really want my family to be there with me, because I think I’m going to need their support (especially by mile 12), but this means we’ll all have to be out of the house by 5am. Eeeeek. But as you can see from their email, there’s a bunch of fun kids activities there, so I’m hoping we can pull this off. Otherwise, I’ll be heading there solo.
I will be totally honest. This race scares the hell out of me. 13.1 is a LONG way. I’m more than halfway there in terms of my mileage, but I know I’m going to have to dig deep and commit to those long weekend runs. Dr. G., I thank you in advance for the many weekend mornings in which I will dump the kids on you for an hour or so over the coming months. Still love me?
My goal is to simply survive this race. Sure, I ‘d be lying if I said I didn’t want to finish in under two hours, but I know that’s probably an unrealistic goal for my first half marathon, so I’ll settle for just finishing the race in one piece. But that’s why I have a second half planned for the fall; for that race, I hope to train with a time goal in mind.
As I said in my 2013 Health & Fitness Bucket List, my goal is to run 10 races this year. Here’s what I have on tap so far (keeping in mind that some of this is subject to change):
MARCH
Date TBD: Medway Shamrock Shuffle
APRIL
April 28: James Joyce Ramble 10K – my 37th birthday!
MAY
May 28: Boston Run to Remember 1/2 Marathon
JUNE
Date TBD: Gaspee Days 5K Road Race
June 15: The Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K Race (this is where Buddy got to meet David Ortiz a few years ago!)
JULY
Date TBD: Run for Your Lives 5K Obstacle Course Zombie Race (with my zombie-obsessed husband)
AUGUST
Date TBD: TD Beach to Beacon 10K (if I’m lucky enough to get in the lottery)
SEPTEMBER
Another half marathon, but haven’t decided which. ZOOMA Cape Cod Half Marathon? Surftown Half Marathon (R.I.)? Smuttynose Rockfest in N.H. (October)? ING Hartford Half Marathon in CT (October)? Any suggestions?
OCTOBER
Date TBD: Tufts 10K for Women
Date TBD: Medway Lions Pumpkin Run
Um, okay, so part of me wants to pass out looking at this list, but I have to keep telling myself I CAN DO IT! Plus, I know I have the world’s best cheerleaders rooting for me and supporting me every step of the way.
Do you plan out your races in advance, or do you play it by ear?
Marnee says
Jessica, great job signing up for your first 13.1. It will be epic!!
As far as race sign ups go, I’ve gone both ways. Last year when I was training for a half ironman I signed up a week before a 13.1 in Eugene and just this weekend the hubs and I signed up Sat for a 5K the next day. I think both are valuable options. The most fun though???? Is being in the kind of shape that you can say “hey I think I’ll do that half marathon next week” and you go and kill it! THAT is an awesome feeling!!!! All the best in your training!
Dollops of Diane says
Go, you!! I can’t even run a mile (unless maybe someone was chasing me) so I have lots of respect for people who REALLY run!
Jessica says
Thanks! That’s kind of why I’m intrigued by the zombie run this summer, where “zombies” literally chase you. My husband is obsessed with “The Walking Dead” and zombie movies, so I’m doing this for him. Feeling like I’m running for my life doesn’t sound like much fun 🙂
Glori says
I did my first 5k last October, and have done 3 so far. I’m not super athletic, so I just look at these challenges as a goal to help push myself. I went a little overboard with the obstacle races this summer…I’m signed up Dirty Girl, BoldrDash, Run for Your Lives, Spartan, Hero Rush, and Warrior Dash. My husband said I’ve become “race obsessed”. Haha! I think I’m just trying to do something for me . I was looking at the Surftown Half , but should probably try and get through a few others first to make sure my body survives!
Jessica says
Good for you!! That is a lot! I admit I find the obstacle races a little daunting … I think because I am a klutz so I’m always paranoid about injuring myself! LOL. Let me know if you end up doing Surftown!