I don't know if I can explain what running has done for me. For one, I am 5 lbs away from my ideal weight, but it's more than that. I came back from my 5 mile run this morning, sat down and said "Hmm, I'm tired." My husband said, "You should not be tired, you should feel energized and happy. Otherwise, why do you run?" For a second, it got me thinking, maybe he's right, maybe I'm doing something wrong. But at the same time I told him, "I run for the sense of accomplishment, for challenging myself and working towards a goal." With running there is always another goal to achieve and it's a very individual thing. I don't compete with anyone but myself and to me there is something very empowering about that.
I ran my first and only half marathon on May 2nd, 2010 at Long Branch, NJ. It was 9 months to the day from the birth of my first baby girl. It was over 90 degrees but I was able to finish in 2:17 (10:29 splits). Of course I was just happy to have finished especially since there were many runners that were collapsing along the last miles from cramps and heat exhaustion.
Today I am training for my second half marathon which will be in the Bronx on August 28th. I don't know what it is with me and running in the heat. It will be 5 and a half months since I had my second baby girl. I hope to do better than my previous time but of course I'll be happy if I just match it or come close.
Jessica, 2:17 is a great time for your very first half-marathon. I am also running the Bronx Half; how are you getting there? by the way, the parking situation there is terrible. I had to park almost a mile away from the starting line.
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