I Will Do What Others Can't

Week 12 of half marathon training.

Final week of half marathon training.

"Today I will do what others won't

so tomorrow I can do what others can't"

Every week I have found a quote that expresses where I am on this half marathon and running journey.  They have captured the highs, the lows, the drive, and the determination.  So for my last quote, I am choosing one of my all-time favorites.  And the one that I actually started this journey with.  On the sheet that I have been keeping my progress and calendar on, the above quote it in giant print at the top.  So many people have told me throughout this experience how much they admire my ability to stick with it.  Many have mentioned they don't have the same discipline.  What others won't.  Although I missed a handful of runs toward the end, I still ran 3-4 times every week.  I never missed a long run.  Early mornings.  Late nights.  Lunch breaks.  Good weather.  Bad weather.  Hot.  Cold.  None of it mattered.  I went.  

Now it's time for the culmination of this journey.  The metaphorical finish line will now become tangible. Many people have been telling me that they don't believe they could ever run a half marathon.  Nor do they want to.  What others can't.  People have told me that I can't.  I shouldn't.  One of my least favorite phrases it "I can't."  It limits yourself.  In most cases, before you even try.  The point of this journey has been about one thing:  to show myself that I can.  I kept updating my progress on here after several positive responses in part to show you that I can.  My ultimate hope is that people who read this look at my journey - not only over the past 3 months, but over the past several years - and it can show you that YOU CAN.  It doesn't have to be a half marathon.  It can be anything.  If I can finish grad school, drop 65+ lbs (and counting!), run 13.1 miles, move to amazing new places, and take advantage of life, then

You can do anything.

Never forget that.

Monday - Rest

Tuesday - 2 Miles

Rest

Didn't make the time, didn't have the ambition.

Wednesday - 2 Miles

2.00 miles - 18:43 - 9:21 pace 

This run felt bad.  It's taper week, so I'm supposed to take it easy, that I guess that qualifies.  But my chest hurt the entire run.  My breathing was off.  I could never really get into any sort of rhythm.  If this was my last run before the race I'd be more nervous, but we'll see how tomorrow goes.

Thursday - 2 Miles
Rest
The day got away from me, and then a late night at work = no run...

Friday - Rest
2.05 miles - 19:35 - 9:32 pace
Since I didn't go last night, I felt like I needed to get one last run in.  Especially since Wednesday wasn't good- I don't want to end on that note.  I normally haven't been running in the morning, but I wanted to give myself as much time as possible to rest and recover before Sunday.  It's crazy to believe that almost exactly 48 hours from now I will have run a half marathon. 

Saturday - Rest

Sunday - Half Marathon