I’m really determined to get better at running. It’s weird because I really enjoy it. That doesn’t sound like the girl I knew last year or the 25 before it. I hated running and exercise in general. I literally could not run a block. I was one of those kids in school where when we had to do the mile for P.E. I walked it with a group of friends and talked. It’s funny looking back now realizing that 30 minutes I wasted walking around could have been done in like 10 minutes. I even would have had time to talk with friends. Oh the decisions we make when we’re kids.
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Now I really like and enjoy (gasp) running. I still walk occasionally but I definitely like running more. I really enjoy that I can stick my headphones in and zone out from the world and not have to worry about someone tapping me on the arm at 30 minutes asking if I’m almost done with the elliptical. Running gives me both a great workout and plenty of alone time in my own head. It gives me plenty of time to contemplate world peace, decide my next vacation or completely zone out with no thinking at all. It’s uninterrupted me time that, some days, I REALLY need.
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On my quest to improving my distance, times and to keep me motivated to running I’ve set up a tentative schedule of races I plan on registering for this spring/summer. I hope to do at least one a month but may find more I want to do as time goes on. I’m starting off slow and hoping to build myself up to doing a half marathon at the end of this year or start of 2013. I know that is a LONG time but I know myself well enough to know that if I set small goals and go at my own pace I can do it. Here is the tentative schedule:
4/15/12 – Bay Trail 4 miles
5/6/12 – Lake Merced 4.5 miles
6/3/12 – See Jane Run 5K
7/28/12 – Color Run 5K (this is more of a fun I’m doing with a group of friends)
7/29/12 – SF Progressive Marathon
8/26/12 – 10K on the Bay
*September I will be on a 3 week vacation so I didn’t plan any this month
10/21/12 – Kennedy Drive 8k
11/17/12 – Hot Chocolate 15k
If anyone is doing any of these races, please let me know. I’d love to meet up before, after or during. Also, if you have run these previously or have any tips – I’d LOVE to hear those as well.
