Run Stephanie, Run!

In 2011 I made it my new year's resolution to run a half marathon. Mind you, I am not a runner. I played basketball for a few years in high school, but have never really run. Well 2011 came and went and needless to say, I did not run a half marathon, nor even attempt to run one. So...in 2012, I told myself, this will be the year I run a half marathon. My overall resolution for the year was to get fit and commit to a healthier lifestyle. I got married in July, so that was excellent motivation for months of gym going. Once the wedding came and went I needed a new project, so I signed up for my first half marathon and 2 weeks ago I accomplished my now almost 2-year old resolution.

I spent a few months training, gradually upping my mileage and hitting new goals and milestones. One day I ran 5 miles and I was like "wow", I've never done that before, then it was 6, 7...10, 11. Each week I grew stronger and more confident in my abilities - what a good feeling! Another great thing about training is that I really got to know my city. I've lived in San Francisco for nearly 3 years and I was starting to see things I've never seen before - things that I walk by every day and have never noticed. It gave me a new appreciation for this beautiful city I live in.

Yesterday I ran in the Giant Race in San Francisco. 13.1 miles complete! I started on strong and was at a good pace to meet my finishing goal of 2:10:00. But man, around mile 10 I think I smacked into a block wall. Where did the fog go? Why is the sun so bright? How can 65 degrees be so hot? My legs hurt? I saw people starting to walk and I kept making a deal with myself, make it to mile 11 and you can take a break. Seriously, you made it to mile 11, are you gonna give in now? Mile 12, you're so close. OMG, mile 12 why are you so long? Then I'm there, I'm so close, so tired, but so close. I give it all I have and then it happens, I cross the finish line. Holy S%$T! I just finished a half marathon. The high you get from finishing is incredible - and to top it all off - I get a medal. Oh, my finishing time, can't forget about that. I finished in 2:13:12. So I was just over 3 minutes shy of my goal, but to set such a high goal and come that close on my first try, that felt pretty incredible. I'm so proud of what I was able to accomplish in a few short months. I was not born a runner, but I can be a runner.

So now I'm hooked. I signed up for my 2nd half marathon in November - and I'm already looking into 2013 schedules. This is just the beginning of my journey and I look forward to sharing my experiences with you - people of the world.