Hobby #2: Running

Hobby #2 is another carry-over from 2015. I started running in 2014, doing Couch to 5k on the treadmill. I tried running outside a few times, but after some pretty bad pain and a self-diagnosed stress fracture, I gave it up and went back to the treadmill. In January of last year, I used some of my Christmas cash to invest in a real pair of running shoes purchased at a real running store, and it made all the difference.

My goal in 2015 was to finish a half marathon, and in January I registered for the Marine Corps Historic Half. There’s really no motivation like the thought of having spent $70 to not run a half marathon, so I kept chugging along each week and adding on the appropriate mileage. I was able to finish the race, running the entire time (even up Hospital Hill) in 2 hours 22 minutes! My husband and parents were at the finish line to cheer me on, and they gave me the fantastic complement of “You don’t look as exhausted as all these other people!” It made me really proud of training so hard and understanding the importance of pacing, but also I always look amazing so there’s that.

I plan to run the Historic Half again in 2016 if I can register for a reasonable price: registration is already open, is a bit pricier than last year, and I’m currently broke due to the holidays. In December, the Blue Gray Half is held in Fredericksburg and has about the same course as the Historic Half, so that’s my potential second half. I was able to train pretty quickly for the half last year, so I’m considering tackling a full marathon, specifically the Marine Corps Marathon in October.

Frustratingly, I injured myself this summer and have greatly reduced my mileage to try to recuperate. At this point I’m starting from square one with only 10-15 miles per week (I was doing 20-30 miles per week before and right after the Historic Half). I’m not too bummed, though, because I’m able to train and add mileage with Courtney. I’m afraid over-training caused my injury, so while I plan on training for a marathon I want to make sure I’m not pushing myself too hard.

If you see me and Courtney jogging up Hospital Hill, give us a honk of encouragement (or, you know, a ride to the top of the hill).