Even though I trained with my friend, she left me after the first two minutes. She was on her own journey and wanted to try and finish in a certain time and I was ok with that. My journey was very different this time around. I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it again and of course through training wanted to lose this pesky baby weight.

For the first two miles I struggled thinking about how far I had to go and I found myself asking why the heck I was doing this? But then when I hit mile three something changed and I really started to enjoy it. The last time I did it I was so concerned with my time, I didn’t pay attention to anything around me. This time I did. I waved back and thanked all the spectators cheering us on. I loved hearing all the bands, but most of all, I loved seeing all the people that were running or walking for a cause. They were SO many different people walking the half marathon; all ages and all fitness levels. It was pretty inspiring to see all these people out there. I took in the scenery of Columbus, beautiful homes, landmarks. I paid attention to everything and that’s what got me through and made it actually easier than the last time.

I didn’t break any speed records, but I am damn proud of my time. I finished in 3:16:10 at a 14:59 pace. My overall place was 443 out of 948. And I was 359 out of 784 females. Pretty good for a limited training schedule.

I will probably never be a runner. But I believe that getting out there and trying is the most important part. Anyone can do this, you just have to have the desire to want to try something different.

I am proud of my accomplishment, even walking 13.1 miles is no easy feat! Congratulations to all the runners and walkers out there. Great job!

“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” -John Bingham

I have accepted the fact that I can’t train as much. The last time I did this I was able to train about 5-6 times a week. So far (if I am lucky) I walk twice during the week and do my long walk on the weekends. I do most of my walking at Hilliard’s Rails to Trails with a great group of friends. It’s beautiful and flat and I think it’s the kind of trail that builds up speed.

I have accepted the fact that I need some other form of motivation. I have become quickly bored with walking, so I needed to do some other form of exercise to help me along. So, I started doing Zumba! I am taking my classes at the Pai Fitness and Yoga studios in Dublin. It’s so much fun, and doesn’t even feel like a workout. I am not coordinated and I can’t dance to save my life, but I am hoping it helps build up my endurance.

I have accepted the fact that I now have big feet. I went to Columbus Running Company and saw Levi. He was great! Even though he measured my feet and promptly broke the news that I was a 9 ½. Let’s just say I freaked out. I have always been a size 8. Nope, he said “sorry you are a 9 ½. I am quite sure my gasps of shock were annoying to the other customers. I demanded he still bring me an 8 and even though he kept shaking his head and saying “I see this all the time from women who just had babies.” Anyway, I figured I put up a good enough fight and finally let him put me into a heavenly pair of Mizuno running shoes. So far I think they are the best shoes ever.

I have accepted the fact that I am slower. Sadly due to my limited training schedule I am only averaging about a 14 minute mile. I was hoping to get faster this time around, not slower.

So I have accepted the fact that I am older, I can’t train as much, I am slower and have bigger feet and I need more motivation. But I have come to realize these are not bad things. This is just the way it is now. That’s why I have come to this place of acceptance. I am DOING THIS, I might crawl across the finish line, but so what?-I will finish. And I am probably not going to beat my last time, and guess what?, that’s ok too. And so what if I have had a love/hate relationship with training this time around but I still keep at it.

I can see the finish line, I am almost there and I can’t wait to cross it with my size 9 ½ feet.

So yes, the last couple of weeks have been extremely challenging. But my attitude and motivation is turning back around all because I went bathing suit shopping. I wouldn’t recommend this four months after having a baby. I was shocked at what I saw in the mirror. I cried. It was horrible. When something is unappealing you decide right then and there that something HAS to be done about it. How did I let this happen? I realize I just had a baby but still…I was not prepared. It’s something about seeing yourself in a bathing suit that makes you want to run screaming out of the store. Unless you are one of those women who can eat whatever you want and don’t have to work out (sigh), you know EXACTLY what I am talking about.

Then my husband Sam bought me a gift certificate to the Columbus Running Company for my birthday. Just in the nick of time. I needed a little excitement and a kick-start to my training again. I am thrilled about getting shoes that fit properly. I have always worn Nikes, but who knows now… maybe those have always been the wrong ones for my feet. And of course new shoes are always a motivation to get out right?

I think it’s good that this has happened. Sometimes obstacles give us just the push we need. I really need that push and although I started out strong and my motivation was fierce and I started my training with gusto, I got sidetracked along the way. I have a goal and I need to see it through. So what if I am slower and not as fit as the last time? I guess I need to realize that YES there will be days where I don’t want to go out and do my walk. And there will be times I am less than pleased about my pace and timing. But I know that I have to do this. Not only for me, but for my baby boy. Even though he is too little to understand, I want him to be proud of his mama and know that obstacles may knock you off course, but you have to get back up, brush yourself off and always try to finish what you started.

I am going to be very honest. As I sit here and write this, I am eating a fabulous Dunkin’ Donut. Why would I put this sugary goodness into my body while writing a blog post for the Columbus Marathon? Well, I just had a baby. Fourteen weeks ago to be exact. He is the love of my life, but now I am trying to transition from “pregnancy eating” (eating everything in sight!) to “lose-the-baby-weight” mode. I won’t lie: it’s very tough. Getting my body “back after baby” is probably going to be the hardest thing I have ever done. This is why I decided to train and walk the Columbus Half Marathon. I am so excited about this. I’m walking not only to challenge myself, but to help me reach my weight loss and fitness goals. I did walk the Columbus Half Marathon back in 2007 and it was the BEST experience I ever had. I finished in 3:05:13 hours and kept a 14:09 pace. I am extremely proud of those results. At that time, I was not only training for the half marathon, but I was also in Weight Watchers. The end result? I lost 25 pounds! A win-win!

When I tell people I am training for the Half Marathon the first thing they ask is “WOW, you are going to run a half-marathon?” Um, not exactly; I am going to walk. Then they say, “Oh, ok” –with a slightly-disappointed look on their faces. First, let me tell you, my hat is off to all the people who can actually run a marathon. It’s an unbelievable feat. But walking the marathon is hard work too! It’s not a stroll in the park; sometimes you are going so fast you are almost running. You train just like you would if you were to run it. It takes dedication, sweat, and perseverance. I am also very happy that the Columbus Marathon has a separate division for walkers and treats them just like the runners (note the medal I am wearing from 2007); not all marathons do that.

I am excited to blog about my experience. I’m also excited to represent my fellow walkers and all the new moms struggling to obtain fitness goals after childbirth. We can do it together!!!

“Nothing’s better than the wind to your back, the sun in front of you, and your friends beside you.”-Aaron Douglas Trimble