Miss Lisa, 95.5 The Hawk

Four weeks down. Eight weeks to go. Still hanging in. Over the course of this last month I’ve come to realize how training for another 1/2 marathon has suddenly become like dating! Dating? Seriously, it’s true. Overall, it’s exciting. Every now and then you become a little cautious. Sometimes the expectations are too high…and sometimes too low. What about the times you completely wear the wrong thing? Oh, and then there’s that thing called compromise. Oh, yeah. So much like dating. The key is somehow stringing together enough right choices to make the relationship work and still keep that “excited” feeling new.

Running/Dating 101:

1. PICKING THE RIGHT THING TO WEAR. More specifically…be rockin’ just the right SHOES! Oh, my goodness. I knew my toes had been hurting lately (especially on runs of 4+ miles). Imagine my disbelief when I finally got in to the running store last week, only to find I’d gained an entire shoe size over the course of a year! Don’t let that relationship issue go. Talk about it right up front.
2. MEETING EXPECTATIONS. Simple in theory. Show up and be you! My complicating factor on the run side is the 3 am wake-up call for work. That has me wishing I could do a 2 am run. Hasn’t happened yet. Wish it could. First thing in the morning: ready. After that: not so much. Still looking for a good compromise on this one. Taking a power nap to be renewed when it’s beautiful in the middle of the day gives me a restless feeling. Need to work on that to adjust.
3. BEING CAUTIOUS AND MAKING COMPROMISES. Doing alright at this, but it still needs work. Listening to the body to make sure I’m not overdoing it. Making compromises in the schedule, too. For instance, a 4 or 5 mile run is not happening the day of or the day after yoga. Too worn out. Adjusting accordingly. Oh, and the monthly PMS factor…low back pain, sluggishness, bloatedness, etc. That’ll cause compromise in a heartbeat. Take me as I am.
4. NOT BREAKING UP OVER ANY/EVERY LITTLE DISAPPOINTMENT. Would’ve been outta the scene a few weeks ago if I’d folded over not doing every single run. Good news is I’ve gotten in all the longer runs up to this point. Still “going with you,” you running thing. Won’t let you kick me to the curb just yet.
5. KEEPING THE EXCITEMENT NEW. Change up the runs. Outside. Inside. Flat. Hills. Combo. This will be an ongoing challenge for me, too. But I’m willing to work at it. There, I said it. Please stay?

All that said, still amazed by the serious runner. That type of discipline stops me in my tracks. Amazing to watch! For the more recreational runner, what can be taken away from this last month of training? Well, I’m certainly not a pro at running (or dating). All I can do is offer my personal experience and pray that the end result is not a breakup!Let’s keep going! Reach me by e-mail at misslisa95@aol.com anytime. Thanks!