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Archive for the ‘half marathon’ Category

  You might rememer my posts last year when I was "teaching myself' how to run. I decided that running sounded cool and it was good exercise and even though I really couldn't run I thought I'd try it.  (If you're intersted in reading all I had to say about it along the way, you can find my blog posts here:  http://pittsburghmom.com/blogs/pittsburghmom/archive/tags/couch-to-5k/default.aspx)

I did the Cool Running Couch to 5K program starting last July and ran a 5k (without dying, miraculously!) in September (the Great Race).

Then I hurt my leg but I kept running anyway. I ran another 5K (the Turkey Trot) on Thanksgiving day, despite the terrible pain in my hip. 

I finally went to the doctor, got an MRI and found out I had a stress fracture in my hip. I had to stop running for at least 6 weeks.  I had heard so many stories about how a stress fracture is what ended many people's running "careers" and I was pretty sure that was it for me.

I waited like a good girl through those 8 weeks, so sure I would do some other exercise to make up for it and have really tight abs or really buff arms…but of course I did nothing but sit around and eat Christmas cookies.

I got the all all-clear from the doctor to start slowly at the end of January (although he still advised against running, said it's horrible for your body).

So I started again, and it came back to me like riding a bike. I have started to go greater and greater distances because a friend of mine keeps posting her running accomplishments to Facebook and each time it inspires me to do the same.

I had already decided that I'd sign up for the Pittsburgh Marathon relay with a team of other PittsburghMom.com users.  I'm so excited about it, I even had a shirt made.  The big question was which leg of the race I'd do.  The legs range from 7 miles to 4 miles. I kept running more trying to see if I could manage the 7 miles.

The other day my previously-mentioned Facebook friend signed up for a Half Marathon.  At first I told her she was insane.

And then I signed up too.

I've most definitely lost my mind.

It turns out that you can run the first leg of the Pittsburgh Marathon relay (the 7 mile leg) and then, if you're insane, keep running and finish the half.  I did 7.5 miles last weekend so why not, right? I mean, what's another 6 miles if you've already run 7, right? (can you hear me laughing over here?)

So here I go. I'm now suddenly training for a half marathon. Yikes!

I think running has been the greatest physical accomplishment of my life. Of course, I look more like an old man shuffling through the streets than a marathon runner, but I'm doing it, and that's what counts.

A year ago I argued that I just could not run. I was just not a runner. Couldn't do even a minute. No way, no how.

And now I can run for 90 minutes straight.

So if any of you are thinking you just can't run but would like to learn/try, I'd definitely recommend the Couch to 5k.  It's changed my life.

So wish me luck. And if yu see me stitting at Starbucks eating Bon Bons, kick my butt and tell me to get out there and "Run Like a Mother"

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