A Half Marathon?

If you are no stranger to this blog you've read about my triathlon experience a handful of times. I love the sport, I will rave about it to anyone who gives me a chance to. When I came back to school for my sophomore year I originally had planned to train for a long distance triathlon but I had a few challenges. I am really busy (I mean it's college, who isn't?) and the pool hours don't fit into my schedule and I don't have a bike rack or my bike at school. One thing I have been doing though is running. 

I was thinking about doing a 10K over fall break but I didn't end up doing it. I did the Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Day and got my PR (24:54, an 8:02 mile), which was definitely because this semester I began incorporating lifting into my workouts.
A high quality picture of me very early in the morning for the Turkey Trot
The last two weeks of school, though, my workout schedule fell apart. I had a lot of final presentations, projects, and tests that took over. If I'm being honest not working out stressed me out but I also knew I needed to be properly rested. Taking a week or two off wouldn't hurt me that badly. And it didn't. It gave me the rest and recharge I needed to get back to working out over break. That get's me to the main point of this post.

I am doing a half marathon. 

Completing a half-marathon has always been a far out goal that I didn't think I'd ever accomplish. At the beginning of break I had texted David and joked that I'd "maybe" do one. He said to do it. I began looking at races in Springfield and I found the Big Party Half Marathon on April 7. When I read more about the Big Party Half Marathon I knew I had to do it. All of the proceeds go to Camp Barnabas-- "a unique ministry providing Christian camping experiences to people with special needs and chronic illnesses, along with their siblings." The money raised from this race goes to funds so that kids have money to go to the camp.

I found a beginner's training plan for a half marathon and I just completed my first week. I don't expect to be super fast or place in the top 5, but I want to do it to say I've done it. I also feel like if there's any half marathon to do it might as well be the one that provides opportunities to kids to have fun at a camp that is accessible for them.

Am I nervous? Sure, but I know that if I just pace myself over the 13.1 miles it won't be too bad.

Publishing this post will also keep me accountable-- I've put it out into the world now, I can't take it back (& I already signed up so now I'm financially commmitted).

I'm really excited to continue to up my mileage in my training. I am going to continue to lift and cross train on the days I don't run (because I'll only be running ~3 times a week). I will be sure to keep you all updated as my adventure for this race continues.

Until next time,
Taylor xx

PS: You can read about my fitness journey here 

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