Today is National Running Day, a day we celebrate our love-hate relationship with running with people all across the country! What perfect timing, as me and the other 13 members of Team Shrinking Jeans are busy packing and taking care of last-minute details before we head out west to San Diego for our long-awaited 1/2 marathon! Hard to believe that our big day is almost here. We have spent the last 5 months working our asses off training and fundraising and Sunday is our big finish! Woot!
Looking for some info on getting started with running? Check out these links:
How To Series on Running, Part I
How To Series on Running, Part II
Team Shrinking Jeans Favorites
Running in the Heat
Common Running Injuries
Couch-to-5K
Our very own Coach Joe’s running site, Running Advice and News.
Now, for some big news!
The other day, I came across this post by my buddy, Jen. I totally believe in this girl and knew right away that I wanted to be a part of what she is planning, so I got my girl, Christy, in on it and we agreed that we will sponsor Jen in her 1/2 marathon journey!
Jen is going to be training to run The 52nd Atlantic City Marathon half marathon on October 17th!
Some more about Jen:
When did you first start running? I ran track for a very small blip of time when I was in high school many moons ago. I HATED running. Hated everything about it and avoided running as much as possible. Fast forward like a million years later (ok, I graduated HS in 1996 – it only feels like a lifetime ago) and life happened and I got fat. About the same time I joined Weight Watchers I discovered twitter and through twitter I found the wonderful world of blogging. Soon after that discovery, I learned of the C25K. Everyone online was talking about this awesome running program to take you from lazy couch potato to running a 5K. I tried and failed the C25K. My knees did not like running.
Fast forward again to about 40 pounds later (and lighter) I started hearing rumblings online about the C25K…I found a cool app for my iPod Touch and started running for real this winter. I got bored with the C25K program and ventured out on my own…not really my own since I asked for advice from all my running friends. I enjoy running. It is hard but I enjoy it so much. The last few weeks, I have been waiting on custom orthotics for my low arches and have been unable to run. All I can think about is my next run. Seriously!! I am not sure when this happened but it happened.
Why did you decide to go for a 1/2 marathon? All I do is think about running! “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” – isn’t that the phrase?!? All I want to do it run…but I know myself, if I set a 5K as a goal, I will not train properly for it. I know, using the run/walk method I could go do 3.1 miles ~ I am not being cocky or acting like I could do it fast but I could do it. I am just stubborn enough. 13.1 miles, however, is a whole new game. I HAVE to train to run/walk 13.1 miles! There is no question…I have to commit to training! Commitment means I will mark training sessions on my calendar and I will HAVE to cross it off as done.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration? TEAM SHRINKING JEANS. Seriously, you ladies ROCK my socks! So many of you training and fundraising to kick cancer’s ass!! I am so inspired in all that you have gone through and overcome while training for the SD Half. AND, I have to give a shout out to ALL my friends who have recently finished (or will be finishing) their first half marathons: YOU (I hope you know who you are) INSPIRE ME!!!
What has been your biggest obstacle this far? Myself! I make too many excuses, I get easily distracted (hello twitter) and I procrastinate ALWAYS.
Biggest victory? Not giving up! Sure, I have had successes in life….lots of them…but not everything is easy but sticking around and not giving up is hard. I am a fighter but I didn’t always know I was a figher. I am a fighter and I don’t give up….learning and believing this is definitely my biggest victory.
I cannot wait to follow along on your journey, Jen! We are all rooting for ya! Follow Jen’s training each week on the ‘hood!
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