Here goes nothing - 1/2 marathon training.....

Here goes nothing... I am going to train to run in a 1/2 marathon at the beginning of May. One of my best friends Ashley, asked me to run it with her, and I said I would try. Ashley trained last year and unfortunately she caught H1N1 right before the race and wasn't able to compete, so I told her that I would train with her this time, as well as run the race with her come May 1st. I am very nervous because I have never run in a race - not even a 5K, but we all have to start somewhere.. and there is no better time to start this than right now. I am currently following a Beginners Half Marathon Training Schedule which I have been able to stick with thus far.... please stay tuned!

So not only is the schedule forcing me to get to the gym at least 5 times a week, it is also going to help me in my biggest loser competition. By the time the race gets here I will only have 6 weeks left until our final weigh in - and I'm hoping that the goal of the half marathon will motivate me to finish strong throughout the rest of our friendly competition. I am just at the beginning part of this journey, and although working out in the gym and staying on the treadmill is difficult at this point in time, every time I leave, I feel good about the way I feel and this is only the beginning!

So if you are a runner, and you have any (i mean any!) ideas on how to make someone a better runner, I would love to hear it! (And by suggestions - maybe what motivates you? how to encourage yourself to go a little bit longer on the treadmill? what kind of shoes work best for you to run in long distances? ect...)

I am so fortunate that I have such a wonderful support group behind me motivating me to do this - and I can't wait for the day when I can feel accomplished that I just completed a 1/2 marathon - but until that day - I have a lot of training to do.