There are about 6 weeks until Disney’s Princess Half Marathon. I wish I could say my training has been flawless. Unfortunately this is real life, winter, and flu season. Even with a flu shot I managed to come down with the flu. The flu managed to derail my training by about a week. Thanks to Tamiflu I was able to knock out the flu in less than a week. Which means I can get back to training.
Even before being derailed I was beginning to have some doubts about whether I could really do 13.1 miles. I am up to being able to run 7 miles, but my pace averages about 19 miles a minute. I need to be at 16 minutes a mile, and ideally I really want to be at 14 minutes a mile to give myself a little cushion.
I raised my doubts with my family, and I really do have a great husband and parents. They encouraged me to keep going, and to stop worrying so much about the finish.
There seemed to be encouraging signs all around. runDisney posted a picture on their Facebook page with a quote that resonated with me.
That got me over some of my doubts, but then the flu started getting me down because of the break in training, and of course just feeling awful.
Thank goodness for friends. I had lunch yesterday with a good friend of mine who handed me a small box. I asked her what it was for, and she said it was to keep me motivated because she thought I was doing such a great job. I was so touched when I opened it, and saw what was inside.
It might be a little hard to see, but there are three charms: a B for Beth, a pink sneaker, and a 13.1-the distance I will be running.
Between now and Sunday, Feb. 24th I will be intensively training. Anytime I start to doubt myself I’ll just look at my wrist and know that I can do this!
Such a beautiful story Beth! You CAN do it!!!!
Thank you Monica!