So, yesterday, I decided to get off my ass, put my big girl pants on and go running outside for once. Recently, I’ve been on the treadmill instead of running outside because, well, I don’t know why. However, since it’s mid-November and it’s absolutely, beautiful outside (which is unheard of for Pittsburgh!), I decided to make more of an effort to run outside.
*knock on wood that it stays beautiful*
Anyways, the hills are crazy in Pittsburgh. Absolutely insane. They are so insane that even when I’m driving, my car screams out in complete and utter horror, “Where are we?! I’m gonna fall flat on my tail light you dumb bitch!” Seriously, that’s what my car says. I said something similar yesterday as I was running along, up and down, up and down…
That brings me to today. This morning, I met up with one of my new fantastically awesome blogger friends, Julianne. She and I have so much in common, it’s unreal. Anywho, she’s a much more accomplished runner than myself and this morning over pumpkin pancakes, she tried to convince me to sign up for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon on May 2nd.
Hmmmm… this whole half marathon intrigues me. I keep hearing wonderful things about it and may actually consider it. Obviously, I keep thinking back to the Cherry Blossom 10 miler. As I was explaining to Julianne over brunch, I had much trouble running that race. By mile 8, my feet hurt so badly. It was the worst pain ever. Later on, a running store explained that I was wearing too small of shoe (even though I was already wearing a half size bigger). Now, I wear a full size bigger and never get shin splints or any pain like I used to. Now, I haven’t exactly ran 10 miles since last April so I’m still concerned. A half marathon seems so much fun though! Maybe I’d be well on my way to completing a full marathon…?
Woah. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
The one other thing that concerns me is what are my motives? Why do I want to complete a half marathon? I don’t want to do it just to say, “Oh, look at me, I completed a half marathon.” Will I find joy in the long runs? Should I just stick to 5k – 10 miles?
Runners, what’s your motivation to complete long races?
Anywho, that’s what’s on my mind today.
Hi! My name is Julie. I am passionate about being happy and healthy, all while doing Bikram yoga and wearing mascara. Email me: wearingmascara {at} gmail {dot} com
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Go for it – the distance runs are tons of fun and now that you’ve got the right sneaks for it I think you’ll enjoy it
Besides, who doesn’t love a challenge?? 
.-= heidi´s last blog ..Images from Sunday =-.
You’re so right. Challenges are awesome and keep me motivated!
Yay for pumpkin pancakes! I’ll send you all those links I was talking about this week. As for the half, you can do it! Its in May – that gives you 5 whole months to train and we can do parts of it together!
.-= Julianne´s last blog ..The Decade in Vanity Fair Covers =-.
Yes send me those links. Are you doing it for sure? 5-months IS a long time…
Girl I think you should go for it!!! I want to start training to complete that 4 mile race that I fail miserably on last year. We can do it together!!!! I’m going to really get down and dirty with my training starting next week. LOL!!! XOXO
.-= Gwen´s last blog ..Weekend Update =-.
You can do it Gwen! If I do it, you’re doing it. You didn’t fail miserably. You did your best at the time. xoxo
I think for those long runs, the motivation is to find out what you can put your body through and still survive. It’s the mental challenge, and then when you finish, it just gives you so much pride! I can’t wait to follow your training!
p.s. Pumpkin pancakes… totally drooling right now.
.-= Brooke´s last blog ..Boombox =-.
It definitely is a mental thing. Oh the pumpkin pancakes were unbelievable.
I say go for it, too!! Good for you for getting outside and running, I love the treadmill too much I think…plus I hate hills!
.-= Freck´s last blog ..Weekend Recap + AMAs =-.
I hate hills too but they definitely challenge the hell outta me. The treadmill and I get along too… but sometimes I need some scenery!
Mmmmm as if I wasn’t hungry enough…
You can totally do it!
You already ran a 10k! You are going to rock it. Can’t wait to see you go for it! 
Thanks girl! You are such an inspiration for me and I love your love letter to 13.1 – ha!
The Cherry Blossom was actually 10 miles so the half would just be 3 miles more. I think I could handle it!
I may be emailing you about tips.
I found the mug at Max Brenner! Here’s the link…
https://shop.maxbrenner.com/product.aspx?prd=3
I am ordering one ASAP!
My city is REALLY hilly too and I happen to live in the hilliest neighbourhood of all! There are some nice, flat running routes but I have to drive to get to them all and last winter, I had no vehicle. This led to me training for my first half-marathon on MAJOR hills. It was brutal, but it made me strong!
Anyways, you can TOTALLY do it and you TOTALLY should
I am motivated by the training – I just love having a goal. After doing my first half last May I went on to do two more half-marathons last year. One where I raised almost $2,000 for the Heart and Stroke foundation. One of my goals for 2010 is a FULL marathon!
I think that your only motivation for completing a half is that you are doing it for you. Whether that interior motivation comes from focusing on a charity that is dear to you, proving to yourself you can do it, or just wanting to cross that damn line, it’s about YOU. If you don’t have a passion and the drive to get it done then the experience won’t be a lot of fun. Since you’ve done a 10 miler the mileage won’t be a problem as long as you follow a plan and increase up slowly. I know you can do it! …the question is, do you want to?
.-= Maggie´s last blog ..OGH Monday Updates – Week 2 Recap =-.
I’ve got nothing as I don’t run… but reading this just got me motivated to go to they gym,… so thanks for that!
.-= carissajade´s last blog ..A little bit of this, in 1D =-.
You totally are going to kick ass at this you should so do it! They are all right, it’s very much a mental thing and I know you have the capability of conquering this challenge. Good luck, hun!!
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..Weekend Catch Up =-.