Training for a Half Marathon

Well I finally committed - and registered for the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon.

It all started last Thanksgiving when talking with my brother (a known marathon runner, which I think is completely insane) about his experiences in getting the majority of his seven children to run this half marathon the previous summer. As luck would have it my 19 year old daughter was all enthused about the idea and wanted to do it this year. Well, I told her that I'd do it with her (just in case her Uncle and Cousins weren't up to it a second year in a row) so that she'd have someone to run with.

I am not a runner. Never have been. Well, except enjoying short sprints as a kid - especially if it involved beating the boys in footraces at the local elementary school playground. But, anything longer than 50 or even 100 yards - forget it! Okay, well I admit I have jogged (with a lot of walking involved) a 10K and a few 5K charity fund raisers, but not on a regular basis.

So, last month I started jogging (with a lot of walking involved) 3-4 days a week. I started with 1 to 3 miles each time and have slowly worked up to 3 to 5 miles. Next week I go for a 6 mile jog. Now my brother tells me it will become addicting, but for me it is still a chore. But I am continuing to do it (for my daughter who is still planning to go with me). I have noticed that FINALLY after a month I have started to be able to jog more and walk less - so that is an improvement - and I did go to the half marathon website and register over the weekend - so that means I have started to believe I really can do it!