How did I get here and now what?

On July 14, I added a little bit more to my challenge to transform myself.  By that point, I had been working out with a trainer for about 8 weeks, had been eating better, and just treating myself better.  After a particularly intense workout with Ed (trainer) earlier that week, we talked about my goals and things I just wanted to accomplish.  One of those things was to run a 1/2 marathon and not just any 1/2 marathon - the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon.  At that moment, Ed and I discussed how I could realistically get to that goal and do just about anything else.  I did about a week of a Couch To 5K pod casts, then realized that running on the treadmill was torturous and I needed to find a running group.   

Lo and behold, I found the NCRC Women's Beginner Running Program.  My first run with the group was on Saturday, July 24.  During the 10-weeks in the program, I have had the privilege to meet some of the most awesome, supportive, and inspiring women.  We encourage each other to keep going, even on the hardest of days.  It is so great.  The "end" of the official program was the Women's Distance Festival on Saturday, September 25.  After battling a pretty annoying tendon pull for most of August, I was determined to complete the race even if I had to walk.  My doctor released me to run the Wednesday before the race, but urged me to just take my time and listen to my body.  On Saturday, I set my Garmin for 3:1 intervals with a goal to run (not walk) during all my designated run times.  I finished the race in 45:53 (chip time) at a pace of 14:53 (239 out of 285 participants).  I was able to stick with my goal.  The way I see it - that ain't to shabby for a chubby gal that hasn't run since the Presidential Fitness Test requirements in 5th grade (and I tried my best to get out of that).

So, now what...  The ladies that I have been running with the last 10 weeks all seem to want to move on to something more.  We're working out some times for runs and making plans for participating in races.  I thought the questions provided by NCRC at our "graduation" dinner were the perfect explanation of the "now what":

What are your goals?

• Complete at least 3 more races before the end of 2010.  So far, I am signed up for the Monster Dash 5K, Free to Breathe 5K, and Ridgewood Turkey Trot 8K
• Complete the Beaufort Road Race 10K in July 2011
• Complete the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon in February 2012

How many times a week will you run?  I plan to run 3 days per week.

Where will you run?  Through the running program, I have discovered the Capital Area Greenway system.  I hope to run as many routes as possible on the area greenways.

When will you run?  I plan to run on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday most weeks.

Will you run alone or with a friend?  I am going to run with friends as much as I can.  While running alone allows one a lot of time to think, it isn't all that fun.  I like the encouragement that I can offer and receive from running with others.

How many miles a week do you plan to run?  I am going to start following Hal Higdon's Novice Half Marathon training program.  I will probably spread the training weeks out a bit too.