Baby It's Cold Outside!
"I registered for a half-marathon lottery! It's only $5 to enter and if you get selected, you're in the NYC half!" These were words of inspiration back in October... now, not so much! 4 months ago a friend suggested I sign up for this half marathon lottery. I did, and I got accepted. Awesome!! NOT. With this being my first true experience training for a run, I was nervous about training in the winter so I started slow and steady. I was no stranger to running, but a bum knee and a busy schedule kept me from spending too much time training. The weather turned just as I had gotten up to 10 miles. Granted, those 10 miles were pretty much at a snail's pace but I didn't care. It was the distance... the endurance I needed to complete those 10 miles would certainly carry me through 13, regardless of how many people passed me in the process.
The past several days were in sub-zero temperatures with threats of frostbite. I had to put training on hold, and believe me when I say I was fine with that! This moning, with the sun shining and the thermometer reading 22 degrees, I threw on my cold-weather gear and my running sneakers.
A brief look into my thought process during this jog:
Stepping out the door: "Oh HELL no"
Reaching the end of the driveway: "WOAH! That was ice!"
On the road: "Well with the sun on my face it isn't too bad..."
30 seconds later: "Where the hell did the sun go...?"
2 minutes later: "How do people enjoy skiing and snowboarding?"
1 minutes later: "What's the point of this face mask if my breath is going to make it wet and cause hypothermia?"
1 minute later: "Why does the coach in the MapMyRun app sound like such a bitch?"
3 minutes later: "I can do this... just keep going..."
30 seconds later, after turning around and heading home: "What can I make for lunch?"
3 minutes later: "Seriously, how does ANYONE like to ski???"
2 minutes later: "Please God let someone I know pass me and offer me a ride"
3 minutes later: "PHEW I made it home... that was one serious run! Wait.. WHAT?? THAT WAS ONLY ONE MILE??"
Now as I sit here, teeth chattering and cuddling with my dogs for warmth, I think how much of my training is psychological. Could I have gone farther? Possibly. Would it have been comfortable? Probably not. Have I ever stopped at comfortable? NO!! I know what it takes to get what you want. I know what it means to EARN it. I know how it feels to JUST KEEP GOING because you NEED it. With that said, I know that I am going to finish that half marathon in the time I set for myself, and I know I will have no regrets pertaining to training because, well, it was just really f*ckin' cold!
God bless all the runners out there who are training for their next event. It's tough work and you should all be very proud of yourselves! I hope to one day have the stamina and drive to complete a full marathon. My next order of business is to locate an indoor track and get moving, but for now all I keep thinking is "If I leave now, I can still make it to hot yoga..."
