If you haven't already heard...I went and made an irrational decision at the end of 2007. For some reason - I thought it would be fun to run a half-marathon. Yes...me...run a half marathon. Um....in case you know absolutely nothing about me - I've never been a runner. I've hated running for as long as I could remember.....except that one summer after I graduted BYU and decided it would be fun to run a 5K with Myra. S0 - what exactly possessed me to set such an incredibly difficult (for me anyway) goal?.....
Well - Did I mention the 1/2 Marathon I signed up for is the Great Wall Marathon? As in..Great wall of China? uh...yeah. Again - WHAT was I thinking??? Do you see this thing? I have to climb those stairs!
So - how did this all come about? My friend Holly was telling me how her and some friends were going to China...And since I love travelling and always look for opportunites to go places, I asked her more about it. The plan - go to China for a week, Run a Marathon, go to Thailand for a week, go home. "uh...excuse me? Run a marathon on vacation?" She told me more about it..and gave me the website...I did a little reading...and the next thing I know - I have my deposit down, my plane ticket bought..and I'm going!
Yep - yours truly is going to attempt to run a half marathon. And I've been reading a little bit about the Great Wall Marathon...and right now my only goal is to cross the finish line and not die. I read this today:
"You could not run it. It would be impossible. It's straight up and down. People were just crawling on all fours. People were screaming from the pain in their calves. One guy thought he would die."
huh...that's comforting. (fyi: The whole thing is not on the great wall...cause then I would probably die. For the half-marathon about 2.5 miles of the race are on it.)
So - I've been training. Or at least doing my best to try to train. I've got the eating part down. I've been eating really healthy...counting calories..and losing weight. What I'm having a hard time with is keeping a good workout/running routine. I get out to the gym almost every day - but I don't always have a lot of time to train b/c of work (which has gotten busy again) and my extreme inability to drag myself out of bed early! But I'm working on it.
Last week when I was in Phoenix for work, I went for a run and ended up going about 5.5 Miles (which is more than I've EVER done).....so, I felt great about that. Granted I ran slow...but I ran the whole time and actually felt like I could have gone longer. I just wish I was in Phoenix training and not freezing cold Connecticut cause those treadmills just bore me to death.
oh...the Marathon is May 17th. Only 15 weeks away. Which is just not as much time as I would like! But I'm going to do it! I've never been more determined.
17 comments:
Wow... you are amazing! I don't think I could EVER run a marathon, even a half of one! I know that once you set your mind on something, you work hard and get it - I'm sure you'll do awesome!
(Right now I'm working on losing the baby fat... not comin' off very easily, dang it.)
I love vicariously living your blog adventures... all the crazy fun things you do! Good luck and happy training! :)
Good luck!
How exciting! Good luck!
That is so cool! and I'm sure it will be an amazing experience. I'm so excited for you and good luck!
Sounds like a paradise vacation to me......running is FUN!! Anyone that says differently is crazy =) The pain after feels good too........it will be a GREAT accomplishment. I know you can do it, and you'll be wonderful!!!!
I can hardly wait to hear more about it! That is so cool! I am sure you will do great! Keep us posed on how your training is going!
Holy Crap! I didn't see THAT picture. That makes me scared out of my mind and makes me want train my guts out. I am so excited to do this with you! Scared to death, but I know we can do it and we are going to feel like we rock when we do!
Holls
While reading the first half of your post, I kept thinking, "Hey, I'll run with you to train!" Then I got to the "I ran 5 miles part" and changed my mind.
-Al
Wow, you do lead a cool life. I'd be right there with you if I had the money and the time to go to China. Oh yeah, and an insane urge to run. Post knee surgery, I would be insane to run. I can't wait to hear about the experience. Good luck!
very, very impressive! i love all the traveling you do - i definitely have to live vicariously. good luck! and ps 5.5 miles is amazing!!
Oh my! THose stairs look deadly! I think you can do it! Actually I know you can! I am proud of you for taking on such a big goal!
Way to go, Christine! I know you can do it. I am so proud of you just for starting to train. I think that's probably the hardest part! Keep us all up to date on how it's going. Oh, and I updated my blog finally. So no more harrassing me. LOVE YOU!!
christine... i've never been prouder of you!... if prouder is even a word! :)... you are awesome... finishing the 1/2 marathon will be the coolest feeling! you inspire me to want to train more... one day we can do a marathon together! :) congrats on working toward your goal!
I like to run too. I know you can do it. Good luck.
you're a freaking rockstar!!!! I'm so excited for you to do this and actually a little bit jealous. As i do my wussy 13.1 in flat Indiana I'll be thinking about you and your upcoming adventure. Keep up the awesome workout/healthy eating plan. I'm very very impressed.
ps - thanks for being such a big part of this past weekend. I had such a great time with you and am so glad you stayed to play with us all day!!!
The funny thing about the stairs at the Great Wall is that they are all uneven. Some are 6 inches, some are two feet high!
It sounds like fun! You should post the website, I'd love to check it out!
I love China. I have three daughters adopted from China and have been 5 times! You'll love it too. Everyone who goes, does! ;o)
Hi!
I was googling' blogs on GWM to see who was going whaen i came across yours. I'm doing my first marathon and i kinda bit off more than i can chew...but still psyched
as ever. Do think about the GWM alot?..considering May is around the corner
Maverick
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