Chicago Marathon Race Recap

I sincerely appreciate everyone who followed along on my marathon training, wished me luck for my race, and congratulated me on my finish. It felt a little bit like I took all of you on the journey with me. 

Marathon training took over our life for a while, and I definitely had a week of "marathon blues" after the race. It has been strange going from running four times a week, constantly thinking about when and where my runs would be, times and paces, and anxiety and anticipation leading up to traveling to Chicago... to being done and over. I have only run a few times in the last 3 weeks, and I miss being so active and running toward a goal, but I love not having to scheduling a long run in my weekend, and I like having my evenings free.

The night before I flew to Chicago, I reread the recaps I wrote of my previous two marathons, both in 2013 (April and December). In both of those races, my goal time was 4:30, the same goal time I had for the Chicago Marathon, and my times were 4:14 and 4:15. In both of those recaps, I broke the 26.2 miles into chunks of miles: feeling this way during miles x-x, feeling this way through miles x-x. Basically for both of my 2013 marathons I felt really good through the first 10 or so miles, just having fun, feeling good, and the miles went quickly. The end got hard obviously, but I beat my goal time and felt positive about how the races went. 

I tried to tell myself that my main goal for Chicago was to have fun and finish the race, and of course I wanted to do those things, but secretly I assumed that this race would be similar to the others. Realistically, I know that makes no sense. I'm 8 years older than I was when I ran those. I've had 3 babies since then. My life is so different now; my body is different. But I truly feel like I trained harder for this race than I have ever trained for a race. I ran more often, with more varied types of runs, and the majority of my training paces were at or better than a 4:30 marathon pace. I felt like a 4:30 marathon was a lock, if not (if I had an amazing day) getting close to or beating those previous times.

Some days as a runner, you're really feeling it. You find a groove, and even a hard effort isn't too hard. You look down at your watch and realize the time has slipped away, and you're farther than you thought. It's a good day to run. Other days, for a million different reasons or no specific reason at all, it just feels hard. Running isn't fun. It's work, and you never quite feel like your feet ever lift off the ground.

The long story short of this marathon recap is: my 2021 Chicago Marathon felt really hard. It just wasn't my day to show off all my months of training and run fast and have fun and feel like the miles (at least those first couple) were flying by.

We passed the start line, and I wanted to run slower than my goal pace, because my plan was to start off slow and get faster as the race went on. I wanted to finish faster than I started. 

And I did start slow. The problem was that the slow pace still felt fast, and it felt hard.

I passed mile 3, and I said to myself, "This is going to be hard. My only goal is to finish." At mile THREE of a marathon. Not good.

The miles did not fly by, and the whole thing felt like work. Several times throughout the race I tried to pick up the pace, and I honestly thought I was running faster, but looking at my splits, I really wasn't. I can't even break up my race recap into parts like I did the other two, because the whole thing just felt the same: hard, counting mile by mile.

The only time during the whole race where I felt like I was in any kind of groove was the last couple of miles. I did manage to get faster at the end like I wanted and came in with a negative split. A negative split for anyone who doesn't know is when you run the second half of a run faster than the first half. My first half marathon time was 2:22, and my second half marathon was 2:15. 

Finish time 4:37

I ran toward the finish line and heard them call my name! That was really cool. The guy was only calling out random names every so often, so it just happened to be me, and that was exciting. I crossed the finish line and got teary eyed almost immediately. I felt so proud of myself for doing this and so happy to be at the finish line and getting my medal.

I went through the line and got some food and drinks, and then I texted my family to ask what the app said my time was, because my watch was all messed up. When they said 4:37, I started crying again, but this time it was because I felt really sad. It probably sounds silly to say that I finished a marathon and then felt sad about my time. Just finishing is a huge accomplishment, I know. But I had been training for months and months, and I was so disappointed because I felt like my race day did not reflect the work I'd put in over all those hours of training. I felt super frustrated that it felt so hard the whole time.

So yes, I sat on the ground in front of Buckingham fountain in Grant Park in downtown Chicago, and I cried because I finished my marathon seven minutes slower than my goal time.

I won't lie: I spent the week following the race being mopey about those seven minutes. Jordan can tell you this is the truth. I just overall felt bummed. I'm sure I annoyed people. I was annoying myself.

But it's been three weeks since the race, and I can now tell you that I am able to see things in a much more positive light. First, although I didn't hit my main goal of 4:30, I did hit my C goal of 4:45. Second, I did finish the dang thing, and based on how I was feeling so early in the race, that's something I'm very proud of.

Third, and much more fun and exciting: my mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, and baby niece were an amazing cheer section! They were able to see me 5 times during the race, take pictures and videos, and it definitely lifted my spirits. It was so fun to have them there! Jordan and the kids watched the live stream of the race at home, and they saw me cross the finish line and have my name called. And the rest of my family was tracking me and asking for updates. I am so thankful for such a supportive and encouraging family. I absolutely could not have done this without Jordan being so supportive of my running hobby.

Was it the perfect race situation where I crushed my goals and felt like I had a great day? No, it wasn't. But what I have been reflecting on over the past couple of weeks is that one race day doesn't have to define me as a runner. I can choose how I think about this race, and how I talk about it with other people. I can choose to stay disappointed in my time and how I felt during the race, or I can choose to be proud of all that I accomplished through this entire training schedule. 

I trained for and ran a marathon without getting injured once during the process.

I paid attention to my diet and water intake leading up to the race and didn't have any GI issues during the marathon.

I flew to another state to race in a world marathon major, and I finished in the top 50% of 26,000 runners.

I ran a negative split.

I remember setting a bucket list goal in 2010 to run a half marathon. It felt like so much.
And now I've finished my third full marathon. Thanks so much, again, to everyone for the congrats and the well wishes. I appreciate it so much. Definitely a weekend I'll never forget!

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." 
— Fred Lebow, NYC Marathon co-founder

10 Reasons Running a Marathon is Like Having a Baby [Revisited]

Two years ago, on August 10, 2013, I published this post comparing running a marathon and having a baby. Let's all stop for a moment and appreciate the incredible coincidence of my publishing that post exactly two years to the day of R's birthday on August 10, 2015. What are the odds?

The post was obviously supposed to be funny, not realistic (although some people got kind of uppity about it). Clearly having a baby and running a marathon are not really the same thing, but I had found some similarities that seemed humorous enough to make a post out of.

Now that I've actually been through labor and had a baby, I wanted to revisit that post and see how accurate (or not) it really was.

The short version is this: that post I wrote two years ago is pretty good, and I still agree with all ten points. However, based on my personal experience, there are two stark differences, which I will outline below.

1) Training

When you're training for a marathon, you (usually) have a schedule to follow. Long run on this day, tempo run on this day, rest on this day, etc. You know, for the most part, what to expect from your training. Every week you add another mile or two, and if you do it correctly, your training will prepare you to run the full 26.2 miles. The training and the marathon are essentially the same because when it all boils down to it, you're just running, which you've been doing for months now, only during the marathon it's being timed and you're running faster and farther.

I didn't so much feel like there was any training for labor. The nine months of pregnancy are growing the baby, but it's sure as heck not training for labor. Sure, there are books about labor and videos of labor and birthing classes you can take and breathing coaches you can hire. But at the end of the day, when it comes time for the Big Event, there's no possible way you could have trained for the pain and the emotional and physical toil.

On the day of a marathon, maybe the weather is bad or your shin is hurting and that throws you a curveball, but in general you're running, and you know how to do that.

There's no way to prepare for labor. It just happens, and you do it.

2) The Finish

When you're running a marathon, there's a set finish line. There is one for labor too, but in a marathon, you know where the finish line is. You count down the miles one by one, and each mile is exactly the same distance apart. When you hit The Wall and don't think you can make it one more step, you just think to yourself that you have x more miles and then you'll be done.

During labor, the miles are, in essence, the numbers of dilation, the difference being that the amount of time between centimeters is by no means easy to time. For example, I dilated from a 6 to a 9 in a half hour and then got stuck on 9 for over an hour. That's like running miles 1-26 in a half hour and then taking twice that time to run the last .2 miles. It's like making the final turn toward the finish, only to have the finish line move backwards away from you. Or, maybe just making the final turn and then getting stuck running in place. Either way, it's terrible.

I kept asking the doctor if I was close, if they could see her head, how much longer I had to go. I wanted so badly for her to say something like, "It will take exactly x more minutes and then the baby will be here."

Because when I'm running, I can look at my watch or the most recent mile marker and say to myself, "I'm getting closer. It will take exactly x more miles and then I will be done." When I was in labor, I had no idea when I would be done, and that made it harder to stay mentally invested.

So those are the two main differences. But honestly? I found the process of running a marathon and having a baby quite similar, and for the most part I think I did a pretty good job writing that post considering I had never had a baby!

I'd love to hear what you think! If you haven't read the original post, go check it out and then come back and let me know what similarities or differences you see. Or, is there something else you might be able to compare the process of labor to? A slow death, perhaps?

Race Recap: New Year's Eve Marathon

***Public Service Announcement***

Be sure and check out the post I wrote for Samantha over at Elah Tree: 

4 Dos and Dont's for New Year's Fitness Resolutions

__________________

I announced this new year's eve marathon on my blog as my victory lap. Two thousand thirteen was a tough year for me, and I needed running this year. It was something I could take ownership of, even succeed at. Set personal goals and achieve them. It provided me structure, time to get out of my apartment instead of sitting on the couch moaning about my lack of a job. I did something that was good for my body, and I loved (almost) every minute. Plus it provided a dang good way to work off the calories from all the cupcakes. So sending 2013 out with my second marathon sounded like the perfect idea.

Here's the truth: training wore me out this time around, and my heart just wasn't in it.
I'd probably give myself a B- for effort. One weekend I skipped a 15-mile long run for no other reason than because I didn't feel like it. And I didn't even make it up later! I just sat on my butt all day and didn't go running. I didn't even feel bad about it.

All that to say, going into this race, I was not nearly as mentally or physically prepared as I was for my first marathon in April. Based on the training and overall mental preparation, my goals were as such:

Good: 4:30 or under
Great: 4:20 or under
Awesome: PR (4:14 or under) and/or place in the top three of my age group (<--this was a possibility because it was a smaller race with less than 200 total marathon participants)

As I think back on the race, for me it breaks down into four mileage chunks.

1. Miles 1-14
These were pretty easy. I kept a 9:45 average and kind of just enjoyed the day. The weather was beautiful. A runner's dream, really. The temp started out in the 20s but very soon rose into the 40s. I had elected to not wear my Old Navy compression tights knowing the temperatures would rise throughout the day, and this was a VERY good decision (thanks for the advice, Dad!).

2. Miles 15-20
During these miles I sped up to around a 9:20-9:15 average. The pace felt good, and I started to do mental math, realizing that I actually did have a shot at a PR if I could keep up this pace. I kept waiting to hit The Wall but was still feeling very strong overall. I actually had to hold myself back a few times from pacing in the high 8s!

3. Miles 21-24
This is where my training (or lack thereof) came back to haunt me. These miles were extremely difficult. You would think that after running 22 miles, a measly 3 wouldn't seem too terrible, but during these miles I honestly wondered if I would ever be able to stop running. All I wanted was to stop running. 

The finish seemed so far away, and there was actually a straightaway where I ran with my eyes closed for a bit because I couldn't bear to look ahead and see the long road stretching out before me. Obviously running with your eyes closed is not an idea I would recommend to anyone, but it was almost like that feeling you get when you're so tired, and your eyelids seem to close on their own.

I think the photographer took this picture during that time. I love my face. I'm like, How dare you take pictures of me!!!!

4. Mile 25-26.2

I hit mile 25 and wanted to be done so bad. My dad was so encouraging at this point and kept telling me I was almost finished and just to give it everything I had. He yelled, "I'll see you at the finish!" as he sprinted off. My mom and brother were there cheering for me too, and I really don't know if I could have done this without them. It's pretty boring to stand around for half a day watching people run, but if you're a runner, you know how much it means to have family and friends come out and cheer you on.

This helped give me a much-needed boost, and I tried to pump my arms and pick up my legs as much as I could. Thankfully, mile 25 went by quickly, and soon I saw the 26-mile marker. My dad got a sweet picture (see below) as I sprinted to the finish.

Once I was finished, I lay on the ground and thought I was going to throw up. I was legitimately surprised to be finished! I know that sounds weird, but there were a few times during the race when I honestly did not think I would ever get to the finish line. I was just so happy to be not running anymore! I felt nauseous most of the day, which did not happen during the OKC marathon, and overall I felt much worse.

* * *

Now, I know not all races are equal. Some go better than others, some feel easier or harder or whatever, but I think my marathon days are over for now. Maybe unless I can get into the Chicago marathon one day , but in 2014 I'm sticking to 10ks and half marathons. And I'm already signed up to run a 5k with my mom in April! 

I'm so glad I tackled the full 26.2 in 2013--and twice no less!--but during this race I realized that while I love running, I don't love the marathon distance. It's hard and long, and it's just not fun for me.

I don't write this to scare you off from doing a marathon. Heck, who knows? Maybe you'll love it. But I guess what I'm trying to say to all of my runner friends out there is that it's okay if you prefer one distance over another. That's one thing I like about running: there's a distance for everyone. You don't have to like them all, and you don't even have to complete them all to call yourself a runner.

Running these two marathons this year was no doubt one of the best things I've ever done, and I don't regret one minute I spent at those races. Maybe some day I'll run one again, but for now, I'll hang my 2 marathon medals up and wear my shirts proudly... 

...and then go sign up for my next half marathon.

Official chip time: 4:15:57

Average pace: 9:46

Age group placement: 4/15 <--
[I was a little bummed. So close!]

Overall: 55/178

Made it on the leader board. Top 15 at finish!

__________________

Do you have a favorite running distance?

My Victory Lap

I think I forgot to tell you guys that I signed up for another marathon. So that's happening. I'm calling it my victory lap, and here's why. 

A few weeks ago I wrote about how 2013 has been a weird and terrible and awesome year for me. It started out terrible; then the middle part was stressful and really fun at the same time. And now I'm working full time again to round out the year, and it's all very strange.

Not everyone will be able to understand this, but running has been a lifesaver for me this year. It gave me a purpose and kept me active during my days of unemployment/part-time work. And it made me feel good about myself.

One thing running helped me realize is truly how grateful I am to be healthy at this point in my life. I am able to get outside and be active and do something good for my body, and although I have no idea what will happen even tomorrow, when I am running I know that at least for right now God is offering me a blessing I would be stupid not to take advantage of. (I'm not saying people who don't run are stupid; although I would say healthy people who don't do some type of exercise are majorly missing out.)

So naturally I got it into my head that I should sign up for another marathon while I was still mostly in marathon shape. The list of possible races narrowed down pretty quick because it had to be:

1) cheap
2) in the month of December
3) in my area(ish)

As soon as I found the New Year's Double, I knew it was the perfect race for me. It's a two-day event of 5k, half, and full marathons on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. You can sign up for one day or both. I chose to run my marathon on New Year's Eve (morning) 2013. I know this sounds insane, but I honestly could not think of a better way to end my year than with marathon #2, or what I'm calling my victory lap. It's kind of an "in your face, 2013" race.

Training is going well so far, although I'm doing it mostly on my own instead of with the running group I was training with in January. This is only because I've been too lazy to wake up at 5:30 a.m. on a Saturday to run. So I wait until a normal time to be awake on a Saturday when you don't have kids.

[After our 14-mile training run! At that time the longest either of us had ever run.]

I've been doing this training solo, and this time I don't have my dad to compare notes with, which has been more of a bummer than I anticipated. It's nice to have someone share your training pain. Luckily I have all of you runner friends. Hashtag run. Amiright?

Anyway, that's mostly it on the running front. I have half marathon #7 coming up on the 24th of this month (Route 66 in Tulsa!), and I just passed 700 total miles for the year, so that's pretty dang awesome considering my original goal was 500.

Basically, I can't remember a time when I wasn't running at least 2-3 times a week. I'll come back from a run and see I have a missed call (usually from my mom). When I call her back, she says, "I figured you were out running."

You know you're a runner when people stop asking you how much or how far you've run that day or that week because they just assume you are running. 

I love it.

How to Start Running | Part 3: Setting a Schedule

Part 1 | Adjusting Your Mind-Set and Setting Expectations

Part 2 | Getting Your Gear

Part 3 | Setting a Training Schedule

Part 4 | Avoiding Injury

Part 5 | Fueling & Nutrition

Part 6 | The iPod Edition
Part 7 | Running FAQs

* * * 

Can I just tell you guys how much I love this series? 

And not because I wrote it. It's because of the comments you guys are leaving! Seriously. If you aren't taking the time to read the comments on these posts, you're missing out on some great extra tips and advice. I also hope you are enjoying the featured running bloggers section and get inspiration from these awesome ladies!

Okay, so you've decided you want to start running, and you've gotten your gear. Now you need to put together a training schedule. 

Like I mentioned in Part 1, when I first started training I didn't follow an official schedule such as, for example, the couch to 5k program. But even if you make up your own schedule, it's still important to have a schedule of some sort. Otherwise, there's no real motivation to get out there and run. I've had friends try to start running and quit, and I think a huge part of that is because they didn't take the time to plan out a schedule and set a finish goal.

Everyone is different, but the biggest motivator for me is actually signing up for a race. I wanted to run a half marathon, and I was sort of running for a few months, but then I actually signed up, and I was like, dang it. I paid for this thing. It's happening.

Likewise, if your goal is to run a 5k or a 10k or a marathon or whatever it is, I suggest finding a race to sign up for. It will feel crazy, because you still aren't sure you can do it. But isn't that the point? Doing something you never thought you could do? 

Consider this: you will NEVER do it if you don't sign up for it. 
What are you waiting for?

October 2010. The morning of my first half marathon. I was so nervous!

There are a lot of training schedules out there, and when you first start looking it can get overwhelming. My biggest problem is comparing my training to other people. There is always going to be someone faster. We've all heard that line. But something I never expected was the fact that there will always be someone running more. 

I trained for my marathon running three times a week. I should probably add only three times a week. Most training plans call for four, five, even six days a week. Who has time for that? Not me. And even if I had time, I don't want to run that much. (If you're interested, you can find all my marathon training recaps here and my full marathon training schedule here.) Not that running 5 or 6 times as week is bad, but it wasn't right for me and my running goals.

This is what I had to tell myself when I started my 17 weeks of marathon training: 
Don't focus on what anyone else is doing. 
Run the amount that works for you. 
Stick to the plan. 

I'll talk about this more in the next post in this series, but trying to run more than your body can handle will lead to the one thing every runner dreads: injuries. Just because someone else runs 5x a week doesn't mean you have to or that you even should.

That being said, here are a few good resources for training plans. I like to take a few different plans and combine them into a plan tailored just for me based on my daily schedule and my personal goals.

Training Schedule Resources

• Couch to 5k Program
• Hal Higdon training programs for 5k, 8k, 10k, 15k, half, and full marathon -- I love these because he has different levels for novice, intermediate, or advanced depending on your ability
• Jeff Galloway training schedules for 5k, 10k, half, and full marathon -- Jeff Galloway is a main proponent of the run/walk method. He claims you can actually run an overall faster time when you incorporate walking breaks into your run. You can read more about it here.
• Run Less Run Faster -- I mentioned this in Part 1, but I am loving this book! It has plans for a 5k, 10, half, and full marathon. Definitely worth checking out.
• I have a lot of great pins on my Fitness Board on Pinterest with training tips and advice.

_________________________

Here's my bottom line: Don't think that just because you're training for a race means you have to run every day. If you want to, that's awesome! More power to you. For me, I run 3x a week, and I feel like it's a great amount for my body and my schedule. It keeps running fun instead of feeling like a chore. 

Find a plan that fits YOU and stick to it. Then, once you figure out how long you want to train, sign up for a race! Seriously, what are you waiting for? Try plugging your distance and location into the Runner's World race finder and see what you come up with! 

Come back next Wednesday for Part 4: 3 Ways to Avoid Injury.

Don't leave before you check out today's featured running bloggers!

< Emily's Blog | Beauty and the Greek >

< Courtney's Blog | Eat Pray Run, DC >

_______________

Are you currently training for a race?
Do you set a schedule for your running?

*I am not a personal trainer or physician. This post is not intended to offer medical advice. Contact your doctor before beginning a fitness routine or if you experience pain while exercising.

My 2013 New Year's Resolutions = Completed

A few weeks ago, I completed my last resolution for 2013. Considering how lame last year's resolutions went, I am really proud of myself for getting these knocked out just over halfway through the year. Three of my four resolutions were running related. I'm sure this doesn't shock you. The fourth was book related. 

1. Run a half marathon under 2 hours

In February, I finished my fifth half marathon, the Fort Worth Cowtown, in 1:56. My brother Austin ran this one with me, and it was fun to share that moment with him.

Sidenote: My turd of a brother ran a total of THREE MILES before running this half marathon and still finished right beside me. It kind of makes the year I spent training for a sub 2-hour half seem pointless, no? My brothers = freaks of nature

2. Run a marathon

In April, I ran my first marathon in Oklahoma City in 4:14. My dad also ran his first marathon (5:05), and it was such a special day to share with him.

3. Run 500 miles in 2013 (<-- the one I might be most excited about!)

On August 17 I did a 10-mile Saturday run and passed my 500-mile goal. In 2012 I ran 359 miles, so I felt like I was setting a crazy high goal of 500 for 2013. I completely underestimated the insane amount of miles that marathon training can add up. Can I possibly hit 600 by the end of the year? We'll see....

Take a look at the months so far. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to tell when I was marathon training and when I wasn't.

(Stats as of 9/01/13)

 4. Read 12 books

[via]

Last year, my goal was 30 books, which I hit in October. But I just really didn't like the feeling of having to read a book just because I set a goal. I also knew this year would be crazy, so I set a goal of 12 books--one book a month.

Apparently I got into the reading mode quicker than I thought, because a few weeks ago I read my 13th book for the year! And I'm still going, because I've got my Anne of Green Gables series to finish. I just set a new goal for 20, and I think I'll be able to hit that no problem.

I posted on Twitter that I had hit all my resolutions for the year already, and someone responded and said maybe I should have set higher goals. That made me think. Should I have set bigger goals for myself?

But I realized that when I set these, they seemed like big goals. I don't feel lame for already finishing them. In fact, it just gives me more confidence that I can complete the goals I set for myself. I'm also proud of how this year has gone so far. It's been nothing like I expected, but I'm trying to make the most of it and stay positive.

How are you doing on your New Year's resolutions? 
Have you completed any or are you close to completing any?

10 Things I Learned My First 3 Years of Running

1. It gets easier

I don't mean the runs themselves are always easy, but running gets easier. It's so much easier to lace up my shoes and head out now than it used to be when I first started. It still hurts when I do those tempo runs or long weekend runs, but in general, running really does get easier once you build up your initial mileage base. You don't feel like you're going to die after every run, just some of them.

source

2. I prefer morning runs to any other time of day

I've learned that it's just better for me and my schedule if I get up early and run. Yes, that 5:30 or 6:00 a.m. alarm sucks at first, but I never regret getting up for a morning run. For me it's actually easier to talk myself out of a 6:00 evening run than a 6:00 morning run. 

If I go in the morning, it's done and out of the way. I feel so great the rest of the day from getting my heart pumping and legs moving, and I didn't take away from any normal "day" time. When I worked in an office full time, I noticed a huge difference in the amount of back and butt soreness when I ran before work and when I didn't.

3. My stomach can't handle much (or any) food before a run

I've read all these articles about what you are and aren't supposed to eat before a run, and they're all a load of crap. If I eat more than half a bowl of cereal, I have the runs five minutes into my run! (PUN INTENDED.) Sorry, Runner's World, but I'm not eating 1,000 calories before I get out there. No, sir. I can handle maybe a single glass of water and a half bagel with nothing on it (not even butter). And that's it.

All that to say, over the past 3 years I've figured out how my body works and what it likes. Articles and advice are great, but at the end of the day you just have to do what works best for you. There isn't necessarily a right or wrong.

4. Runners are nice

Yes, there's always the occasional jerk, but for the most part runners are the nicest group of people you will ever meet. Everyone is so encouraging, no matter your pace or distance. You don't have to be scared of running or jogging or run/walking or whatever you have to do! At the end of the race, you'll cross the finish line just like everyone else, and you will feel amazing and encouraged and loved by the running community.

5. You cannot underestimate the power of a good pair of shoes

Running shoes are freaking expensive, hence the reason I don't go shopping anymore. But a good pair of running shoes is so important to the health of your entire body. I can tell when I need new shoes because I get blisters on my toes, and my knees start hurting. A new pair of shoes makes that all go away! It's fantastic. If you're going to skimp on something, don't skimp on shoes.

*Don't skimp on socks either. Socks are important so you don't get horrible blisters. In this post I talk about my favorite pair of running socks, which have never given me a blister, even during my marathon. (I'm not promising that they won't give you a blister; I'm just saying they've never given me one.)

6. It's not as scary as it sounds.

When I first signed up for my first half marathon, I was Freaking Out. I'd never run farther than 5 miles, and 13.1 sounded like pure insanity! I don't mean to take anything away from racing when I say this, but it really isn't as scary as it sounds. 

Now that I've run my marathon, 10 miles doesn't even seem that long! Crazy, right? I don't say that to brag but to tell you that when you have a base of 2-3 miles, all you do is add 1 more. Just 1 more mile than you did last week. Then 1 more. All of the sudden, you're running 16 miles without even giving it another thought. I'm serious! 

That's why I truly believe that anyone can run. Because it's not as scary as it sounds.

[source]

7. Sometimes it's more fun to run with someone

I do a lot of running by myself, and that's great. I love my alone runs (most of the time). I get really introspective about life, and then I come back here and write a blog post about it, which I know you guys love. But if you can find a running partner, it makes everything so much better. The miles seem to fly by because you're talking or pacing each other or whatever else. It's hard to find someone you like who also runs at your pace, but if you can, it can make your runs lots of fun.

8. Buy a subscription to Runner's World Magazine

They didn't pay me to say this or anything; I just love Runner's World! It's such a fun magazine to read, and it's full of race ideas and running tips and letters from readers. I always love getting my new Runner's World in the mail. I only recently signed up in March of this year, and I so wish I would have been getting the magazine all along.

9. You don't have to be fast or skinny to be a runner

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There are so many amazing runners out there who run crazy times. Their "slow runs" are at 6:00 pace or something equally as insane. These girls have long, skinny legs and fly down the road so fast they look like a blur. And I'm totally okay with that. Yes, it would be fun to be really fast, but I am completely proud of my running pace and abilities. 

Over the past year and a half I've brought down my average pace by a full minute/mile! It took me 4 tries, but I finally ran a sub 2-hour half marathon, and when I crossed the finish line, I burst into tears. You would have thought I'd won the whole thing from the way I was acting. 

You don't have to be fast or skinny or whatever else to call yourself a runner. Do you run? Then you ARE a runner. (For more on that, read: Running Advice for Non Runners and Doing the Impossible: My Favorite Posts on Running)

10. You don't have to run if you don't want to

Once you start running, you'll start to find people who run. Makes sense, right? These people will be what I like to call "hard core" runners. These people run fast, and they run all the time. And when they don't run, they make excuses and rationalize why they didn't go running. 

I think that is total crap.

Sometimes, I just don't want to go running. It's hot or rainy or cold. Or maybe it's a perfect day outside, but I just want to sit on the couch and catch up on my blog or read a book. Doing this all the time just means you're lazy; but once in a while, it can be good to take a mental health rest day from running. Don't feel bad about it or compare yourself to that girl you know who ran 15 miles that morning. Make a running schedule that works for YOU, and don't get all worked up about skipping a run every now and again. It happens. This is real life, and you're not superwoman.

So that's it! I obviously have more than ten things I learned, but those are the first ones I thought of. 

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Do you have anything to add? 
What is one thing you've learned since you started running?