I am a runner.
I started running 10 years ago as a junior in high school.
(Well, I ran track my freshman year, but that was so awful I don’t even want to talk about it.)
My junior year, I decided to try using the treadmill in the basement of our apartment in Malaysia. When I discovered that Friends episodes played every night at 7 pm, I had a reason to run. I could escape endless hours of Lizzie McGuire that my younger siblings subjected me to and watch Friends. I relished my alone time on the treadmill. I blasted the air conditioning and the television and learned how to run.
I was amazed at what my body could do.
In college, I started running outside and loved it. I ran my first race my sophomore year of college – a 5K in Honolulu. I am by no means a racer, simply a girl who likes how running gets me outside and active.
Exactly five years ago, I wrote about why I loved running:
“Running isn’t about competition or goals for me. I run when I want to and don’t when I don’t. I might improve a little now and then, but overall, I’m not a fast runner, I don’t run everyday, and I can’t run forever. But no one knows, no one judges me, it’s MY thing. And that’s what I love. I hope I’ll be able to do it forever.”
Today, I am flying down to Nashville and running a half marathon tomorrow morning.
I ran all winter long to keep in shape – running in the snow, the freezing cold, my hands frozen. I ran ten miles in the rain last weekend. I ran three miles in snow so thick I couldn’t see half a block ahead of me.
I didn’t do any hardcore training – just gradually increased my milage on the long runs and ran twice a week – but I still learned so much. And not just about hydrating on long runs and energy gels. I learned about myself. I had time to myself.
Training for a race is sort of like a metaphor for life – it shows you how important goals are, it shows you how much you are capable of, it shows you the power of dedication.
I’ve never run 13.1 miles, but I know I can do it. I will do it.
That is what training has taught me: Just because I haven’t done something before doesn’t mean I’m not capable of doing it now.
And a certain pair of cuties and a giant coffee are instructed to meet me at the finish line. That will help.
Here we go!
i’ve run that half twice and it is EXCELLENT. the people that come out to support it are just unreal – you will love it. can’t wait to hear how it goes!
This gives me hope as I’m training for my first half marathon in June! I trained well over the winter, but took the first part of Spring totally off and have felt a little overwhelmed and a bit behind — especially as I got back into running regularly and immediately got shin splints! Anyway, I will just keep at it when it feels good and take breaks when it doesn’t and eventually — I will get there :) Good luck!!!
Good luck Ashley! I know you will do great. :)
When I posted about running my first 5k, and how I had never run 3 miles before, a lot of people were discouraging asking why I was doing it if I had never run that far before… but I did it! And I know you can too!! Just take breaks and go at your own pace. Good luck!
Good Luck! You’ll do great! I’m running my first 10k on the 4th of July.
Good luck at your half! I ran my first one last year and it was such an accomplishment!
What a great post! I hope the race goes well for you – can’t wait to hear about it!!!
Oh that’s so exciting–your first half marathon! Watch out, you’re gonna be hooked :) Good luck!
I ran the Nashville half marathon two years ago, and it is still one of my all time favorite races! It’s an awesome course, beautiful scenery and the crowd support was great. You’re gonna rock it! Have fun! :)
Good Luck!! I’ve never done that half marathon (or any distance running for that matter) but I have cheered for friends in that race many times when I lived in Nashville. It seems like such a fun race. Have a blast!
I’m so excited for you! I can’t wait to hear how the race goes! I had never run more than 11 miles before I did my half-marathon, so I know you can do it! You’ll do awesome!
Good luck!! Have a fantastic race :)
I love how you put I didn’t do any hardcore training just after you wrote I ran three miles in snow so thick I couldn’t see half a block ahead of me. Hahaha – you’re such a badass and you really are going to kick ass this weekend! Have a great trip!
I love what you wrote about running when you want for as long as you want and not running when you don’t want to. That’s exactly how I feel!
Good luck! You’ll do great :) I ran my first 1/2 marathon last weekend (with my longest training run being just over 6 miles) and loved every minute of it! I was amazed at how well my body did with so little training.
Good luck! I’m excited to hear what you’ll think of the half-marathon. I walked my first one last year and was signed up for the same race this year, but then I injured myself and couldn’t do it.
Good luck, Ashley! <3
You’re going to do great! Congratulations on this milestone.
Good luck! If you can do 10 miles in the rain, 13.1 should be no problem. Can’t wait to read all about it :)
Best of luck! I hope it’s an awesome race and I can’t wait to hear about it :)
Sleep well tonight & enjoy your run. We know you’ll do well and we’re so proud of your perseverance and courage :-)
Ashley, this is one of my favorite posts (of yours) ever! It has made me smile, and it has made me feel inspired (especially since I’m technically training for my first half marathon right now too, while also struggling with life.)
This line especially: “Training for a race is sort of like a metaphor for life – it shows you how important goals are, it shows you how much you are capable of, it shows you the power of dedication.”
That’s pure love of running and pure inspiration right there! Thank you! AND, more importantly, good luck tomorrow morning! I’ll be thinking about you and anxiously awaiting your tweet from the end. :-)
Go you! Hope you have a wonderful time!!!
And by now you’ve finished your half-marathon! So happy for you and that you’ve fallen in love with running!! XO
Good Luck! Finish Strong!
You’re such a badass and you really are going to kick ass this weekend! Have a great trip! I walked my first one last year and was signed up for the same race this year, but then I injured myself and couldn’t do it.