Halfway to 15 and Then Some

3

June 21, 2014 by little hurdles big race

Back in February I made a “resolution” that I would run 15 races this year (two more than 2013) – with one of them being a 1/2 marathon.  Not only did I want to run more races than I did in 2013 but I wanted to expand past just doing 5K races.

June 21st marks the first day of summer and essentially the 1/2 way mark for the year. On that Sunday I will run the Summer Slam 5k and this will be my 12th race of the year.  I’m half way through the year and almost 1/2 way to my goal.

I did my 1/2 marathon back in March on some very hilly terrain.  That was a good challenge but not the best 1/2 marathon for first timers.  I was also suffering from a hamstring injury that I sustained a week before a the Shamrock 8K – but I completed the 13.1 miles and that’s all that really matters.  It was a bit of personal pride that despite my injury and the small size of the race I didn’t finish dead last…there were a few behind me 🙂

I’ve moved on from just 5K’s too!  I’ve done a couple 8K’s, a 14K, a few 10K’s, and even a virtual run.  I’ve traveled across country to participate in my first Disney race.  I had such an amazing time at the Tinker Bell 10K that it prompted me to sign up for the Tower of Terror 10 miler in Disney World in the fall.

Last month I came face to face with my race obsession when I signed up for a race while I was in CA on a work trip – The World Famous Camp Pendelton Mud Run.  World Famous? I hadn’t heard of it either…  But, it was an amazing experience full of US Marines screaming at you and dunking you in mud – hilarious!

I do have three races that I never ran due to work and two bouts of the flu this winter/spring, but I have at least 12 more races on my calendar for 2014 and I’m sure there are even more to come.  The only down side is how will I top this for 2015? More 1/2’s? Rock n Roll passport series?  Coast to coast Disney medals?  I’m getting ahead of myself 🙂

Right now I’m just enjoying the races.  Honestly, I didn’t even realize how many races I’d completed until I sat down to write this blog.  More importantly I’ve learned to find joy in many things and it’s really a great way to get in tune with our body on a basic level.  Every race I complete I get faster and stronger.  It’s also a great way to push yourself and get some SWAG in return…and sometimes a shiny medal.

Challenge yourself – you’ll be glad you did.  You have the strength!