Well, I was able to get my prescriptions today, thankfully. This has only happened a couple of times, but never for as long as three days. When I don't take my mood stabilizer, I can feel it physically--if I ever forget to take it, I am quickly reminded (within about 26 hours of my previous dose) by the way my body feels. I can only describe it as "buzzing"--almost like a tingling, but more intense. I hate that feeling!
After taking my meds today, I was feeling better within hours. My anxiety has been super high today, but hopefully that will go down now that I have my meds again.
Anyway, my sister mentioned something today that got me thinking. She asked me if I'd be interested in doing the Glass City Marathon Relay on April 24th. (Note that I said RELAY and not just marathon--the relay is for five people running a marathon distance total.) I immediately texted back, "I'm not ready for a race."
This is a photo from the 2015 Glass City Relay--we obviously had several teams.
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| This was the first and only race that all of my siblings and I have done together! |
After telling Jeanie I'm not reading for a race, I started thinking about it. My first advice to someone who is interested in starting running?
Sign up for a race!
Knowing that you are already signed up for a race gives you the drive to go out and get the runs done. So I always suggest that before you ever even run your first mile, you pick a race--likely a 5K--in the future (even if it's 6-9 months away) and sign up. Then you're committed!
I've been having such a hard time pushing myself to go run lately, that I'm wondering if it's time to take my own advice. Even if it's not the Glass City Relay; I could pick a 10K that's in the late spring and I think I could be ready to run it. I absolutely would not be going for any personal records in speed; the only goal would be to finish it.
The last race that I completed (I think) was the Melanoma 5K that I did in my friend Sarah's memory. That was a 5K in October 2018. I had been planning to walk it, but at the last minute I decided to run it. I was totally unprepared; I wasn't wearing typical running clothes and I didn't even have my Garmin! I ended up winning first place in my age group (but the field was VERY small--my pace was 11:04).
The last time that I really RACED (ran my hardest) was in April of 2016! I ran a 10K that I'd trained so hard for; I met my goal and then I just felt burnt out on racing. I only did a few races after that, but none that I trained hard for.
Anyway, if I was to sign up for the Glass City Relay, that would give me 14 weeks to prepare. The leg distances are 3.4 miles, 4.9 miles, 6.6 miles, 5.3 miles, and 6.1 miles. I'd like to do any of them except for the first one; I'm capable of running 3.4 miles right now, so I'd like to have to train for it. Who knows! It's just a thought right now.
I like to write training plans that are 12 weeks long, so if I should pick a race that weekend, I'd have two weeks to write up a plan for it. I have a feeling that signing up for a race would work similarly to me as my signing up for the DietBets that I have. It gives me accountability.
I don't know; I could regret this entire post tomorrow! Hahaha.
I know you can do it, and I have a feeling you're going to do it. Reading about how hard you push yourself inspires us to do the same.
ReplyDeleteFirst, so glad you got your meds. Second, I sure hope you sign up. Third, I love how you showed us how you think. Yep. You're in my head! Go you. Fourth, know you are loved and cherished and worthy regardless of what you choose.
ReplyDeleteIf you're open to some advice: you seem to be be what Gretchen Rubin would call an "Upholder"--that is, you are more motivated by outer expectations (like DietBets) than inner expectations. I think that's why races worked so well for you when you began running. And when you stopped doing races, your desire to run went away, because the outer expectations were gone. This isn't a bad thing; the Tendencies are not moral or anything, but it's really good to know how we are individually motivated so we can do and be our best!
ReplyDeleteI say do it!! If you don't want to take your advice take mine. My advice says signing up for a race holds you accountable with your running so you should sign up for one 😉
ReplyDeleteYou can do it. I signed up for my second half marathon 3/20. The one and only time I ran this same race was 2014. Ive since had two hip surgeries and dealing with degenerative disk pain in my lower back. Im scared I wont finish the way I want, but I need to remind myself that finishing is all that matters, no matter how fast or how slow. My body isn't the same as it used to be. You can do this. I have faith in you <3
ReplyDeleteYou can do it!! A relay is so much fun!!
ReplyDeleteLet us know if you do it! My suggestion would be if you feel like this is to daunting.. since other's are relying on you and it is a relay then go for a 5K. We can do a challenge.. you do it.I'll do it! Ha! Lsst time I ran was probably 2018 as well. As far as Gretchen Rubin is concerned I am an obliger. Hard for me to say no and l love a partner for accountability. You got this!
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