Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Marathon Readiness Series: Part 1

While searching for races to run in order to help me better prepare for the Honolulu Marathon, I stumbled upon what is called the marathon readiness series. Here on Oahu they do this awesome series of races meant to prepare you for the marathon. Starting in August and ending in November the series covers distances from a 15k to a 30k.

The first race....


Norman Tamanaha 15k in Honolulu, HI - August 11, 2013     Time - 1:40:19
 





Runner's Hi 20K in Kapolei, HI - September 1, 2013     Time - 2:11:49

 
Unfortunately, due to a small injury in my left knee I took a couple weeks rest to heal it back up and missed the 25k. But the goal is the marathon!
 

Distance Runner? Me?

What motivates one to be a distance runner. Honestly - I am still searching for that answer as I type.

My journey with running follows a love/hate type of relationship. I grew up playing fastpitch softball - I knew then I was a sprinter. I was fast. I made the loop from home to home quickly, and I loved to sprint. I took pride in knowing I was fast.

I always dreamed of being a marathoner. (As of yet, this is still a dream). A dream that will change the morning of December 8, 2013. I've always wanted to run the crazy distance of 26.2 miles. I've also always wanted to explore and travel. Hence the idea of running a marathon in every state really stood out to me. Why wouldn't I want to do that?

I tried numerous times before 2013 to become a marathoner. In college I started "training"..... I'd fit in a run here or there, and try to "train". I had no idea what it meant to train. I started and stopped training at least 3 times. But I wasn't determined enough yet then, I had other things that were priority and were important to me. Finish college, get a good job. Start your "adult" life.

My husband and I moved from Colorado very shortly after graduating college from Colorado State. Hubby had gotten a job offer at Pearl Harbor and we were so excited to be going to HAWAII! We made the trek to Hawaii, and fell in love with it instantly.

We have been in Hawaii now for over 2 years (Almost 2.5!) and I have been running, training, committed, and determined since the beginning of 2013. I WILL finish the Honolulu Marathon. I will run a marathon in every state. After that - who knows, maybe I'll attempt ultra running - 50k, 100k, 100 miles even?

Running and I certainly didn't start out as friends.

Now though, I couldn't imagine my life without running.