Michele Dortch
Be strong.
Amen to that!
For weeks the thought, “Can I run 26.2 miles?” has ruminated in my head.
I’m not sure why. I’ve never (ever) had the inclination to do a full marathon. In fact, after each of the six half-marathons I’ve completed my first thought is always, “Thank God I’m done. I don’t want to run another 13.1 miles.”
Then, I happily watch (and maybe skip with glee) as the full marathoners continue on the course while I go grab oranges, sport drinks and other post-race replenishments.
But I need a new running challenge in 2012. So I’ve decided to go for a new personal record (PR): In 2012, I will finish 13.1 miles in under 2 hours.
My best time was in 2010, a respectable 2:15 finish. That’s just over a 10-minute mile. Since then, my average pace has improved to 9:00 - 9:15, but not for distances longer than about 7 miles.
So, I have some work to do. I can do it. And I’m giving myself three chances to hit my target 13.1-mile PR:
- March 11, 2012 @ San Diego Half Marathon at PETCO Park
- June 3, 2012 @ San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon
- September 2, 2012 @ Disneyland Half Marathon
I’ll post my progress here and would love to hear your 2012 running goals/races too, so feel free to share!
(By the way, if I hit my 13.1-mile PR in 2012, I’ll add “Run a full marathon” to my 2013 goals.)
I deactivated my Facebook page today — without warning, pomp or circumstance. Just woke up, decided it was a distraction and took it offline.
I love to watch the sun rise during my early morning runs, but today I was treated to this: moon setting in San Diego @ 6:42 am on January 9, 2012.
The New Year doesn’t enchant me anymore.
Oh yes, I love the vibrancy and celebration that goes with saying farewell to one year and welcoming the next. We bubble with joyous expectation for what might come in the next 365 days. But that eventually fades and we retract to our usual hum-drum lives.
So, the New Year no longer captivates me. But a new day does, because my waking thought is always, “Hey, it’s a New Year.”
You see, I’ve just decided that my “New Year” doesn’t have to start on January 1. It starts every day, which means I get to live with vibrancy and celebration all year long.
