These Shoes...

were made for runnin'!

I'm running my first half marathon this coming Saturday. I'm a little anxious and excited all at the same time. I keep asking myself questions like, "Could I have trained harder?" "Should I have tried harder to lose at least 10 more pounds before the race?" "Should I wear a long sleeve shirt to run in or will that chafe my arms?" "Should I wear a tank top and my jacket while I am running like I usually do?" "Will I be able to take my jacket off mid-race if I get hot or will I have a number on it which will be too difficult to move during the race?"

I just talked to my friend who is running with me and she has been having the same kinds of questions. She even told her husband she doesn't know why. It really doesn't matter. We are doing this for the fun of it. We just want to finish and are already talking about training for another half marathon in the Fall.

To answer those questions...Yes. I could have trained harder. But there is always room for improvement. I think I have trained well for a first time runner. Yes. I should have tried harder to lose 10, even 20, pounds before the race. But I have maintained my weight and lost inches. My body is toned and I am in better shape than I was when I got married. I'm in better shape than I was in in high school for that matter. No. I probably should not wear a long sleeve shirt. I will probably just wear my running tank top. Once I get through the first mile, I will be warm enough. We have worked hard and we will finish.

Back to the shoes. P.K. took me to an athletic store that specializes in running shoes. It was fun. They video taped me running on a treadmill to see which ways my legs turn when I run. Then I tried on a half a dozen pairs of shoes. I found out that my old running shoes were a size too small. That would be why I had blisters under two toenails. The new shoes and I have already been together for over 40 miles. I have run in them, laughed in them, cursed in them (yes, cursed in them...not really bad curses...you try training for a half marathon in a thunderstorm in shoes that you paid more for than any cute pair of shoes you have ever owned and see what you say)and cried in them. On Saturday I am going to be very proud in them.