MINI MARATHON

I stated running, again, January 2006. I have worked slowly and diligently to increase distance and endurance. Currently I am running 4-5 miles five times per week. I have a consistent, but not fast pace. I am the tortoise not the hare.

Most of my running happens on the treadmill. I do this as I tend to be a fair weather runner. I could easily talk myself out of running if I was tied to outside. It can be too hot, too cold, too nice, too stormy, too sunny, not sunny enough…you get the idea. What I have discovered is that I find little rationale for not walking upstairs to the room that houses the treadmill. And it is there, mostly to the reporting of ESPN, that I plod away. The result has been a 48 pound loss and much better fitness.

But recently some folks have disrupted my running existence. They have invited me to run a mini-marathon (13.1 miles). What has to be understood is that anything that has marathon in it, associated with running, has held no appeal to me. I have run a 5k (3.1 miles) and a 10k (6.2 miles). Both have been more than satisfying. But my “friends” insist it is a small jump to the mini. I let them know that there is nothing “mini” about 13.1 miles.

I am going to do this! I am preparing to run 13.1 miles. I can’t believe I am even saying (writing) this. It still sounds so ominous. The target date is May 08. This seems far away, but these kinds of events tend to be here before you know it.

This is a big challenge for me. I believe I can achieve this for several reasons: I have friends to encourage me. I have people who will run with me. I have a plan to prepare.

Now that I think of it, it is not that much different that any other challenge we may face in life. When we have encouragement, others willing to join us on our journey and a plan; we can achieve more than we might think. WHAT IS YOU MINI?