Four. I am a 4x Half Marathon Runner!!!

So it I did it again!

I was told my body was not meant for running. In high school, I constantly struggled to keep up with my long-legged friends. I have been mocked for being so slow! So why on earth would I sign up to run so many miles when it was not meant for me?

Easy. I stopped comparing myself and began to compete with my best. I looked down at these big legs and said, “Because I can!” And I did it 4 times!

1) San Diego Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon 2011

My first half was the Rock n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon. Being new to SoCal, I was eager to see this area so I signed up and just did it! After 6 months of training following advice given in The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer, I was ecstatic to hear my mom would join me in LA and San Diego to see me finish!

In all the excitement of having a guest, I got new shoes a week before the race (different model), I had McDonald’s the day before the race and just before crossing the finish line, I stopped to pose for photos like I was on the red carpet! Yep, true girlie girl! What was I thinking! Next, worrying about my mother being lost in the crowd, I skipped the post-stretch and snacks area only to myself tremble to the ground from exhaustion on the way to finding my car. Where is the victory in that? I got a metal for 13.1 miles and nothing could take that from me. I wore that medal to dinner and work the next day. No matter the challenges, my end time, I did what I dreamed I could and it made me quite proud.  What a great achievement! I could not wait to do it again!

2) Los Angeles Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon 2011

In Halloween costume running to the finish line of the LA Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon in downtown LA

How about do it again and be close to home? I am sure I can rock it this time! So I got my schedule out again, plugged in my runs. Still, I put off telling my friends to join me at the end even though this one was a costume race for rescue animals.  Being sad about some relationship gone wrong, I figured I needed a new buddy so a rescue dog would be my gift and this time, I would learn heed my learnings to boost my time by the end of this race. The night before the race, I colored my hair, had a chat with my favorite bootcamp trainer, and went to bed with my costume ready.

Though no one was available to cheer me on, I showed up for me. I even put on this heroic She-Ra costume and posed for photos with strangers at the start line at 5 in the morning.  When you run in race like this, you get a group of Elvis’ cheering you on, “Alright now, girl! Looking good!” I finished strong!!! Well, my finish time was about the same.  Recalling the triumph and debacle of San Diego, I made sure I stopped at every restroom/drink stand- maybe not all but I stopped often.  I enjoyed running through my downtown LA neighborhood with the thought, I love that I can enjoy this run with these two working legs and this well trained heart. I showed up for me and enjoyed my journey. At the end, I was sure to stretch, call my family and closest friends to tell them I was NOT in the emergency help tent.  On my roof, the Peg was holding an Octoberfest pool party so I enjoyed some sausages and passed out at home. Again, I finished a three month training plan and attended the race on my own when people even more athletic counted do not think they could do this. Who’s the real winner?

3) Los Angeles Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon 2012

Third Half, Second time LA RnR, 20minutes faster and both friends and family present! Awesome!

Well, my fit idols and dear friends Rita and Nedda were both now a year from having their first child. Nedda suggested we do this run as a team.  Why not? This time, I’d be with friends, in costume and we could encourage each other but these girls were so much faster I needed a new plan! Someone said, “Your pace is your pace. You can’t change that!” Oh, really? This was it! No more of these slow boat times! I’m a half-marathon runner who eats right, knows the drill of training and definitely will not live in fear but correction of my previous race mistakes.  So I added daily weight training and short runs with my new pup, Charlie in addition to following Hal Higdon Novice 2 schedule in the early mornings.  Charlie couldn’t withstand more than 7/8miles and as my morning runs got longer, I only weight trained on non-run mornings or after my run with Charlie.  My girls and I decided to dress up as Highlighters and pledged we get fit enough for bra tops! Mom flew in and I cooked clean even though, the morning of the run, I had eggs and it that blew my stomach up like a floatation device! Whelp, do what you said you would do and I showed up ready to rock my balloon stomach all the same! My friends were super fast and still, I beat my previous times by 20 minutes!!! Improvement!!! And, we did it! We celebrated a fab meal at the Yard House and I went home to a Halloween party on my roof.

4!) The Hollywood Half Marathon 2013

Even if it was the hardest, it could always be harder. Be grateful and be willing to overcome mental or physical impediments.

By now I should know that getting strong, adding runs and joining friends makes a difference. The call came again! Rita’s fitness client was signed up to run The Hollywood Half! Okay, why not! Also, I want to share my lessons in training myself, so I offered to train a neighbor keen to get back to her pre-baby bod.  Easy! I  plug in my run and strength times on my posted and electronic calendars. Second, I confirm her goals and away we go!

Yet, I know from traveling, just because you both want to go, does not mean you both will. My girl Rita had to take care of her health and now, I was going to run this race on my own.  It just so happened, there would be a pool party on my roof and I’d have at least one friend I knew at the race.  My trainee and I were super committed to our plan so there were two finish lines to pass. Hollywood and The Pool! So I showed up and when my corral was called, I paced myself until I faced the first hill. Then, another hill and another! None of my 3mths of training included the slightest incline! I was not ready for this! I could see I was close but my legs could barely walk. Despite all the muscles, I felt weighed down and boxy. I pushed through and yet, began to cry a little just hearing the start of  Mariah’s Triumphant song play on my iPod.

A woman ran up beside me, says “Hey, I’ll run with you! You’ll be fine! We were just saying, we wish we were that fit!” I felt like I was no example but I was grateful for her company and energy.  We turned a corner and there was the finish line! I saw my time was going to take me back to race no. 1. Was this going to be the worst??? I posed with this heroic lady and my friend who had waited to give me my bag. I remained in the snack and stretch area to catch my breath and take the official photo before stumbling around Hollywood city blocks to find the train station. When I got home,  I called family and posted my thanks to friends who saw my finish update.  I lay there…  and realized, POOL PARTY! Better or for worse, I did it. I ran it. Nothing can take that from me.

Lessons in Running

It’s amazing that we only get stronger by pushing through something that takes more of our strength.

It’s amazing that we only get stronger by pushing through something that takes more of our strength. So what’s next? Getting stronger for sure! I am so glad to say that already I’ve done four half marathons. It is something I just know I can do.  None of this, “Me? I cannot run around the block.” “Oh, running? Not for me!” Sure, the race was hard yet I accomplished my 4th two days before my birthday and the following weekend, I ran 7 miles Saturday morning just to get smokin’ abs for my birthday party at the pool where my trainee-to-training buddy could also sport her training accomplishment. Mission Accomplished! Yet that only means we have new level now! So excited!

What have we learned so far:

• If you have two legs that can move, you are a runner. Be patient with your heart and body and you will finish every run, short or long, triumphant!
• Keep using the shoes you have been running with for the race (at least a month out!)
• Eat clean even with out of town guests before you run (avoid eggs in the morning)
• Remember to stretch and eat something at the end (Your friends/family will be okay to see you okay)
• Send invites to after party when you sign up (Duh!)
• Lift weights and get strong (strong muscles will propel you to endure)
• Train flat and hilly terrain (even if you think it will be flat!)
• Find out about gear check
• Get lighter water pouch or try not wearing one on some runs
• Stay Triumphant in all your efforts- Keep your training program posted somewhere

Bonus: A Peg pool party is the best way to end a long run.  Whooooo hoooooooooooooooo!