Ok, it’s coming down to the wire to my first half marathon – insert: “EEK!”
Over the past 6 months, I have run the distance…even past the 13.1 mile distance of the race itself…but I am still eager to run the race-race! Even being able to have a “13.1” magnet on my car means that I tackled this feat {oh the glory!]…it means I raced a distance I never thought I could! And in just over a month I’ll be able to do that! I want to do it now!
milestones rock.
Back in March when I decided to sign up for my first half, after tackling the longest race I’d run – a 9.3 mile 15k – I decided on the Women’s Half because of a few reasons: the location – beautiful St Petersburg and the fact that it was an all women’s race. Now, I have no problem competing with and chicking guys, but to be surrounded by strong women as they race towards different and similar goals was something that drew me in.
So, why a half marathon?
Why run in the first place even? Honestly, running started as the workout that worked most effectively for me. When I started getting into being more fit I knew that running could be the best form of cardio to work for leaning out the way I wanted. I just knew it’d be a challenge since I always had mental doubt from being asthmatic that I could handle an endurance exercise like running for long periods of time. In the beginning I never thought I’d make it a full mile without walking..and then I became fixated on 5ks. That distance was my happy place for quite some time. Until the beginning of this year, I never wanted to think about anything ending with a ‘thon’ in the least bit. I’d pondered a half marathon earlier in the year but was still too mentally doubtful I could handle it. Instead, I did a 15k (9.3 miles.) That, hurt. Hurt more than anything I’d ever run before. For some unforeseen reason after that, I wanted more. I wanted to see just how far I could go. Since this time, running has helped me manage my asthma and manage my stress in a way that no other exercise could. It’s helped me develop lasting friendships with people who are more supportive than I could ever describe. This half marathon is my next ‘big step’ with my running journey – and finishing, I know, is going to be overwhelming for so many reasons for me.
PLUS! They offer awesome goodie/swag bags designed each year, a personalized bib (yay, yell KAT!), and a designer medal that has a CHARM in it you can put on a necklace – YAY!
I wrote to the race organizers and told them about my story and training along with letting them know I started a blog and wanted to see if some of my readers would be on board to do this awesomeness with me.
In honor of this momentously awesome – yes – occassion, the Women’s Half Marathon is offering a promo code for my readers to get $10 off the registration fee (there’s even a 5k race!)
Code: KATSNF
Code: KATSNF
Come run with me! 4 weeks may be tight to train for a half, but if you’re in not-too-shappy-of-shape and you just focus on finishing and not time primarily, what’s stopping you? 😉
and there’s still a Handana Giveaway open until Sunday!
*I was given free race entry after telling WHM my story, but the decision to run this race and all opinions related to it are my own
I can’t wait for you to smash your goals at WHM! Anyone who wants to join can accompany me in the “just finish” boat 🙂 I am determined!
Good offer! 😉
youre going to do spectacular during your 1/2!!! hope that your friday is fabulous! spa love!
Thanks Jenna! 🙂
I’m so excited for you!! That’s awesome that you got the free race entry!
I’ll be there! This is the PERFECT first! Can’t wait to celebrate this accomplishment with you!
Thanks Tori! .. but I’m already married…no big surprise ending for me ;o)
You’ll do awesome if you’ve already ran that distance and you’ve been running for so long!! Just enjoy it and don’t put so much pressure on yourself…that’s what I wish I’d done w/ my first half.
Thanks Jessica! I do have a big problem with gunning out too fast; I have a race tomorrow that I’m going to remember to avoid doing that in…practice 😉
wooo hoooo!!! i can’t wait for you to join the half marathon club!!! i feel like you are so strong you are already in it. lol!
Aw thanks Bethie 🙂
Oooh I’d love to run a race in Florida! Sad my travel budget has dwindled down…However, glad to find your blog, the name is so adorable! Look forward to reading more. Best of luck to you in the race!
Thanks so much! GL to you too! yea…I need a race travel budget 😉
This race is definitely one I want to do! If I don’t end up doing Savannah I may just sign up through you for this one 🙂 Plus it would be so cool to cheer you on out there!
Awesome, that’d be great if you could!
the adrenaline is pumping! you got this…get in the 1/2 marathon zone!
Thank you! I’m ready!
I wish I could… I’m so excited for you. You’ve made such incredible running progress in six months!
Thanks so much Laura! I’ll catch up to your feats one day..maybe 😉
That’s huge progress over the past 6 months! You’ve run the distance already so that’s a huge confidence booster. Trust in your training and you will do great.
Thanks Christine! I’m ready! 🙂
I hope you have a great first half marathon!
I wish I lived closer or I might join you!
Me too girlie! Thank you! 🙂
What a great idea! And so cool that you got a promo code for it :-D. I would be there with you in a heartbeat if I could.
Aw thanks girlie!
I’d love to do a race in Florida but my travel budget is at zero right now! You will do awesome! You’ve done the training now it’s time to deliver and enjoy! Good luck!
Thanks Angela!
I would love to run an all women’s race. Just seems like such a cool concept!
Sounds like great reasons to run a Women’s 1/2. My first 5K was all women, but I’ve never done another all women race again. One day, I think I’d like to. 😀
Less than a month now…