Miles, Training, and A New Friend

I’m running again.  Our babe is 8 months old.  I’m literally training for a half marathon.  I feel almost stupid saying that but I’m training with a girl who has never run more than a 10K race.  She just started running a year ago.  Her enthusiasm for running is contagious.  She’s much faster than me, but this is a good match.  I push her on the distance and she pushes me on the pace.  Icing on the cake about this girl….. she GETS me.  She is open hearted, authentic, upbeat and genuine.  I seriously love running with her.  No one can compare to my girl (Emily) but for this time, right now, I need my current running partner.  I just told her this morning that if it weren’t for her signing up for the half marathon and me telling her that I would train and run the race with her, I wouldn’t have gotten my ass out the door nearly as much as I have. 

In Feb 2009 I started running (consistently) because at the time I had a 4 month old babe and was ready to take control of my body again.  I hadn’t ever run a 5K or 5 miles.  I had a goal of losing baby weight (15ish pounds) and getting my fitness back that I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying during my adult years.  So I decided two miles was the golden ticket and that was my regular work out.  Two miles, some push-ups, planks, and other miscellaneous exercises…..  The thing is, I had nowhere to go but up from that place.  Today on the other hand, is a very different story.  I’ve already been an ultra runner.  I’ve covered that 100 mile distance more than once.  I already know how it feels to be in tip top shape.  But I’ve had another baby and it’s like I’m starting over again….except for what my mind knows….. ultras, long distance runs, mountains, trails, the mental push.....I keep comparing my current self to my ultra self.  I’ve had to figure out how to stop doing that.  Last time (in 2009) I was just taking it one day at a time.  I’ve struggled so much in 2015 fighting internally about not running enough, feeling exhausted and calling myself lazy and fat (on the inside of course…. that ugly voice that creeps in).   But something happened a couple months ago.  I met Christa who was looking for someone to train for a half marathon with.  I thought it would be a great opportunity to start somewhere….  The first race I ever did was a half marathon.  Why should I do anything different this time? 

So here I am….training for a half marathon.  I have a super training partner right now who is motivating me with her enthusiasm for running.  She says she wants me to teach her how to run long.  Funny thing is, I am not really teaching her anything.  She’s teaching me to love to run again.  To love running even if it’s only 3 miles at a time.  I ran over 46 miles in the month of May 2015.  The last time I ran that far was in Aug 2013 (140+ miles that month).  I will easily pass that 46 mile mark this month (June).  I really cannot believe I’m doing it.  I’ve lost 10 pounds so far (still have 15 more to go) and I’m RUNNING!  I feel so much better and my heart is so happy.  I was thinking earlier today that the last two years were not necessarily what I would have planned out for myself in terms of running and my home life….BUT I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I’m so much happier now in a million ways.  I won’t EVER take for granted my fitness, my running and my spirit for running 100 miles in the mountains. 

Bear 100, BigHorn 100, Plain 100….. I’m coming after you…hunting you down like a wolf to its prey.