Addicted to 13.1

It was exactly five years ago that I decided to start training for my first half marathon. I remember being so anxious when I filled out my mail-in registration. I had committed myself to running 13.1 miles ... seriously?!?!?! (And, who does mail in registration anymore?!) I trained from New Year's Day through Memorial Day weekend for the 2006 Madison Half Marathon. I was extremely anxious about my twelve milers that spring. I would run two loops around the neighborhood. The same loops every. single. time. I remember getting up early in the rain on Easter Morning for a two hour run, before Little Diva got up to hunter for Easter eggs. I did the same thing on Mother's Day.

I had not discovered true technical clothing (stinky and wet!), running shorts with built-in briefs (ah-hem!), technical socks (can we say, blisters!), Body Glide (holy chaffing!) or Bondi Bands (gasp!) ... and my hair was long and mopped up into a loose bun. I had no clue how to hydrate or about race day nutrition (I thoroughly enjoyed sucking on Jolly Ranchers during that race!).

I was inexperienced, but I was determined to do it. And, I did. I crossed the finish line in just over 2:20. I was so proud of my teeny-tiny medal. I remember that the three of us went home and ALL three of us took a nap together at home ... exhausted from the whole experience. I hobbled around the house for the next week, yelped as I walked down stairs and babied my blisters.

2006 Madison Half Marathon (2:20 finish)

Me and Little Diva
posing with my first

piece of race hardware

Fast forward five years ....

I have completed over ten half marathons and three full marathons. I absolutely love the half marathon distance. 13.1 miles is the perfect distance for me. I really, really feel like I've accomplished something after I crossed the finish line. I enjoy the journey and make friends along the way. I enjoy hamming it up for the camera. I can actually walk after the race and experience little to no soreness. Blisters and chaffing are rare. And, I always wear the most fabulous and appropriate race day attire. I can sign up for a half on a whim, without much thought at all. I can run them without officially training for a specific event. I can just go out there and enjoy myself. Oh ... and I've knocked off 25+ minutes, with my recent PR.

My last "official" half marathon event was one of my best experiences yet (2010 Haunted Hustle Half Marathon). I'm looking forward to twelve just-as-fabulous half marathons this year! (As one of my readers suggested, maybe I'll throw in a thirteenth ... just for fun!!!)

2010 Haunted Hustle Half Marathon (1:54:45)

Goals are dreams with deadlines.
~Diana Scharf Hunt

Only those who will risk going too
far can possibly find out how far one can go.
~T.S. Eliot

The road leading to a goal does not separate
you from the destination;
it is essentially a part of it.
~Charles DeLint

Arriving at one goal is the
starting point to another.
~John Dewey

Though no one can go back and
make a brand new start, anyone
can start from now and make a brand new ending.
~Author Unknown