Gearing Up For Worcester Running Festival

It was just two weeks ago that I ran the first Half of the Vermont City Marathon and in just over a week I am heading to Worcester, Massachusetts to run my next Half Marathon in the Worcester Running Festival. This will be my first Half that I am doing out of state. Someday I would love to do Disney or even the Runner's World Half but until the little's get a wee bit bigger, and I can actually get the nerve to leave them overnight, races have to be close by. It was a goal of 2016 to do one out of state race and it only seemed appropriate it be in Massachusetts since that is where I spent my twenties and still call it home. 

I have no idea what to expect from this race. I read the coarse description which did offer that starting around mile three it will offer the hilliest stretch for the next couple miles. Isn't that just very nice of the coarse! I do love hills just as much as I hate them. Being that it is earlier in the race I am figuring this will help me pace myself the first half of the race and those hills I will be running down the last half and can gain some time back then. 

I love running new routes and seeing new scenery. Worcester has some very old and historic buildings and houses that I am sure will be wonderful to see. I don't need to know the coarse to feel comfortable running it. It's an adventure to me to venture out on new roads. I always take my running shoes with me when we do our family mini vacation to Old Orchard Beach, Maine each year and love running while having no idea where I am. 

It's been a busy month and I am looking forward to next weekend. Of course for the race and also because we get to stay with and see close friends of ours. The Worcester Half also has a 5K portion that  my girlfriend Sharon is running. This will be her second 5K and I am so proud of her! Not only has she taken up running in the past year but this also comes after she suffered a stroke. She is a strong woman, wonderful mother, and incredible friend. She has always been there for me and has supported me in my running. Now we get to go to a race together! I am very excited and can't wait to be at the START line next to her. 

I have no goals for this race other than to have fun! I am not worried about time or a PR. Don't get me wrong, a new PR would be lovely yet I don't think it will be this race. I want to take this race and just do it because I love running. I want it to serve as a reminder that I am lucky to be able to run and savor in the steps my feet take. I want to run with a smile on my face and greet the hills with determination. I want this race to be filled with moments of euphoria that only a runner could understand. It could end up being the worst race I have done, but it still will be running where I use to call home. That right there, that is something special. 


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Other Posts By Discovering Me In Them: 

VCM 2016 & Half Marathon #8 Recap
The A,B,C's Of A Runner 
The Addiction I Can't Kick 

The Things That Motivate Me

With my 5TH Half Marathon approaching in less than a month, I had a goal for July to run over 120 miles. June I was under that and I was rather discouraged about it. Towards the end of July my miles were not where I wanted them to be with the wedding and other summer festivities which interfered with my training. It was time to push myself forward and get those miles in. The last week of July into August I manged an eleven day running streak which helped me get to 122 miles logged for July. This month I would like to hit 130 or higher. This is what I do: I set goals and enjoy challenging myself and my body. I want to be faster. I want to be stronger. I want to be healthier. For all this, I need to work for it!

My feet pound the pavement in their own private dance. Running is an intimate thing for me. I realize I share this love with many others. This is part of what I love about the sport. Being a part of a race, looking around at all these awesome athletes and knowing that I am part of their tribe, brings me a sense of euphoria. When I am not running in a race the road becomes my church. Here I am able to release, to feel, and to free myself. My head becomes clear of the clutter and cobwebs that get spun during the day. It is when I am out running by myself that I feel I am able to work on being a better me.

I would be lying to you if I told you every run was great. Some days my legs are heavier than others. There are times that I do have a difficult time connecting with myself out on the roads. A mile can feel like five as some days a ten mile run feels great. My feet are blistered and sore, never seeming to get time in between to heal. Each run is different yet just as important to me as the one before. The days that I don't want to run, or those days that I want to stop in a middle of a run, I dig deep for my motivation.

Motivation comes in many ways to each of us. I am motivated to be an example. I am motivated by my children eager to watch me take off from the porch as I set out for my run. Then when I return, the shrieks of "Mama" as they are running down the driveway when I get back to ask me how my run was. Those little faces, the tiny hands which grab at me, they motivate me. I want to be an example to them. I want to teach them discipline  and determination. I want them to know it takes work to achieve what you want. You have to work for it, and some days you have to fight for it!

I am motivated by the change in my body. The places that were once riddled by cellulite and extra skin have been sculpted and toned into muscles I never once had. Each mile gets me closer to having the body I want. I have several more miles to go before I get there; but I will some day.

I run because it is "me" time. Whether it is five in the morning or five in the evening, I find a way to get out there. I make the time since this is the only time I ever get to truly be alone. This is important for me, for my relationship and as a mother. I am not only working on being a healthier me, I am creating a happier me.

I have made a commitment to myself as well as my family to be the best I can be. I have learned a lot about myself over the past couple of years as I have fallen in love with this sport. I have found out that I am capable of doing things I once thought I couldn't. That I am stronger than I knew. I have learned that you need to have courage and search deep withing yourself. I have learned that we are all brave and fierce.

If you want something bad enough then you need to push yourself. Find what motivates you, go after it and do not let anything get in your way. Create goals and challenge yourself. It may not always be easy but I can promise you this; it is always worth it!