iRun |
#iwillwhatiwant
My journey has taken me 'here'. 'Here' in both the literal and figurative way. Here, healthy and happy. Here, older and wiser. Here, ready to continue my journey. I didn't foresee 'here' to be honest. I thought I would reach my initial goals and want to stay there, basking in the success of achieving them. Now it all seems so premature, so immature. No, I didn't see this coming. I didn't see me, here. Isn't that strange? Yes, I'm strong. But that doesn't mean I can't get stronger. The opposite, actually. There is no such thing as 'too strong'. I have found that the stronger I get, the more vulnerable I'm willing to be. I no longer think "I can't" but rather "How can I?" I will what I want. I will. Because I'm ready for a new challenge, a new phase in my life. Because I am strong and I believe in me, I believe I can do anything. I will what I want. See you in March, TransLantau15.
2 Comments
On my previous post about Synching Mind & Body, I shared how combining different types of strength training and cardio has been helping my running. Unfortunately two of those activities, Zumba and Personal Training, have been postponed due lack of facilities until further notice. My body, however, cannot afford to be postponed :) I need to continue building on my strength to grow as a runner. So I've made the rather contradicting choice of dipping into silks. I don't use the word 'dipping' lightly. In fact, in silks, there is a lot of climbing, dipping, stretching, holding, locking, breathing, thinking, focusing... And yes, I struggle with each and every one of these.
I look at it this way:
Although I say that silks is complimentary to my running, I can't deny the amazing appreciation I have for it. I wrote before that "I've always known that silks is not for me and I am not for it. The idea of climbing a rope-like device relying solely on my body strength, climbing higher and higher, and then doing some sort of pirouette style move at the top, all the while looking graceful? Definitely not for me." (from Synching Mind & Body); and I stand by that. Every time I'm on the silks I feel scared, insecure and more often than not, I come down feeling defeated, like I'm at the 2km of a 5km and I feel I can't go any further. The snapshots above are just that, snapshots of small accomplishments in longer spans of time (1-2hrs at a time). In there lies my appreciation for it. Silks is one of the most challenging exercises I've ever done and have seen others do. And I do love a challenge :) But it's not just the exercise itself, but the community build around it. I will blog more about that on a different post, because like I said before, that part of this new journey requires more reflection and thought for me to share. So for now, silks + running. Stay tuned. Running on the beach has always appealed to me. When I see other runners do it I think about how peaceful, strong and beautiful they look. Some run barefoot (ouch) and shirtless while others suit up and run in their usual running gear. With a gorgeous backdrop, running on the beach looks almost ethereal. But as I've come to find out in the last four days, for a beach runner to appear effortless takes a whole of hard work.
Running on sand for instance is a challenge in and of itself. When you're used to one type of terrain, running on any other surface can take some getting used to. But running on sand is a whole new ball game. Never had I had to think of my next step so much: Is the sand soft and lose? Is it compact and hard? Is it wet? Is it slippery and rubbly? Not kidding, ever step. Then there's the the weather. The sun, heat and salty air are unforgiving at the beach. The things that make me love the beach quickly became challenges while running. There's no shade at the beach, the sun will shine directly on your shoulders and legs, overheating your body to high temperatures. The salty breeze will be abrasive against your skin and will dehydrate you slowly at every stride. The sand won't help either, it gets everywhere. Then of course there's the will to get out there. Beach runners are bad asses, plain and simple. There's nothing more relaxing than a gorgeous beach right at your doorstep. The temptation to just lay around listening to the waves is enough to make even the most dedicated runners want to chill. Getting out there consistently and making it look effortless is the appeal I hope to achieve some day. I ran four times on the beach this week (one of them bare foot!). Although I didn't achieve any sort of ethereal running look, I felt, if even for a second, part of this admirable group of beautiful and dedicated runners. Strength. Such a powerful word. Its power comes from how we define what it means to us rather than the general definition you can find in a dictionary. What does it mean to have strength? To be strong? Does it mean to have a strong body? A strong mind? Both? In the past two weeks, I've been working on redefining what strength means to me. Inspired by a few days in which I decided to push my body to new limits, I felt I had to slow down and reflect on my physical and mental strength. I quickly found that in order to push forward and become stronger, my mind and body have to be in synch. Start safe, I thought, and nothing feels safer to me than Zumba. Zumba is a high-cardio, fast-paced, choreographed workout. To me it's just FUN. I've been dancing all my life, it's a huge part of me stemming from when my sister and I used to watch dance movies like Dirty Dancing, Salsa and Singing in The Rain, all the while trying to imitate the dancers and choreographies. My philosophy when it comes to Zumba is "Dance like nobody's watching", I do and it feels great. If Zumba is my default workout, then running is certainly my plan B. I was reminded just a few days ago how challenging running used to be for me. Not to say that running doesn't challenge me anymore, it absolutely does every time I get out there. But in terms of my mind and body, although it has taken years to get there, those two are like loving sisters. One has the back of the other one at every step. If one is feeling weak, the other will come to its rescue. They talk to each other too. They say things like "You need to slow down" and more importantly "It's ok if you do". And for my third 'safe' activity, I continued personal training. If strength can be defined solely in the physical aspect, then PT makes me feel strong when I do it. I can see my muscles at work, my legs and core holding my body up, my arms and legs getting more defined at every class. It's been a long process to become physically strong. I've come such a long way from doing activities where I was certain I couldn't do (like hold a 1min plank), to doing things I know for sure I can do (like running 5k). 'Can' and 'Can't', also very powerful words. But a real challenge has to have a fear factor to it. It has to take you out of your element and comfort zone. A challenge has to make you question the outcome... Will you succeed? Will you fail? You don't know. But you will try. Enter aerial silks. I've always known that silks is not for me and I am not for it. The idea of climbing a rope-like device relying solely on my body strength, climbing higher and higher, and then doing some sort of pirouette style move at the top, all the while looking graceful? Definitely not for me. But I decided to try four lessons of silks, the product of a (hastily made) bet. (I won't go in depth about this experience as I'm still reflecting on it and finding the right words to share it on a post, stay tuned.)
The whole experience was more than challenging, it was very scary. I don't use that term lightly, especially when the fear manifests itself physically, meaning, others can clearly see that I am scared. In the pictures above, I'm climbing the silks higher than I had before, trying so hard to not look down and psyche myself out. As expected I froze when I was almost at the top and had to come down quickly. The fear made me dizzy, nauseous and drained the color from my face. I shook like a leaf. Ironically though, silks was the jolt my body and mind needed. So what does it mean to have strength? Strike that. What does it mean to me to have strength? Here's what have found: When I do Zumba, I feed my self-confidence. I workout, have fun and feel really strong. When I run, I continue to challenge myself and nurture the sibling relationship of my mind and body. As they become stronger together, I become a stronger runner. When I do PT, I can see my strength as my body changes. When I did silks, before walking into the practice room I took deep breaths. While stretching, I thought of ways to calm myself down. And when I got up there for the first time and didn't quit immediately, yes, that was strength to me. A nimbus, otherwise known as a cloud, can make all the difference in a run. In the last month, Shekou's weather has been intensely hot and humid, so clouds have had a direct say in how a run goes for me. And I say 'me' because I've run into other runners (pun totally intended), bikers and exercise enthusiasts while out pounding the pavement. They run at faster paces, seem to be enjoying the beamy days and are barely breaking a sweat! For me, it's clearly been a challenge to acclimate. No clouds that day. Not one single one. As my post reads, the first stages of heatstroke started to take ahold of my body and mind. I was seeing spots, my hands were tingly, my head was killing me... Very, very dangerous. I had to stop after only 3.9k and down a Pocari as fast as the nausea would let me. It was a bad idea to go out there. "Always look for clouds next time" a wiser voice said in my head. A nimbus makes all the difference in more ways than one. My new Asics Gel Nimbus 15 for instance can't affect the weather but have been a great addition to my running gear. I needed new running shoes so a big part of my goal this past week has been to break them in. Breaking new shoes in at the same time as acclimating to steamy weather has been quite the challenge and I would've hoped to not have to do both at the same time. But I figure that what is difficult now will get better with time and practice, and by the time fall comes along, I'll hopefully be faster and stronger for sticking to the hard work now. August has certainly been an interesting running month. Getting back to China from a relaxing summer, jet lagging, steamy weather, blogging, new shoes, work, life... So I'm proud that I've stuck to it. I appreciate all kinds of nimbus in my runs, those that shelter me from the killer sun rays, those that make me slow down and capture them, those that cushion my feet at every stride. They encourage me to get out there, keep me healthy and motivated. A huge part of this journey is my running gear. I can't stress enough the importance for me as a runner to have all my ducks in a row. It's an essential part of my process: everything has to be just right for my run to be a successful one. During my last run (a heavy, slow and sweaty 4k group run), it became very clear that after the last half, my current running shoes had had their last good run. I was certain the cobblestone had damaged my shoes but I had to try running with them to know to what extent. Turns out, the damage was very significant. I loved these shoes! They were light but stable, comfortable and cool. They gave me some of my best running memories. For 107km they were my partners at every step, at very pace... It's hard to let go. But come to think of it, I'm quite attached to all my past running shoes... And here they are, my ducks in a row. Each pair tells a different part of my journey as a runner. From the Nikes I bought in New York City back in 2008, basically because I didn't really own a good pair of athletic shoes; to the Asics Nimbus 15 which I bought today to replace my New Balance pair. It's quite cool to see them side by side knowing that each step taken in those shoes essentially saved me from an unhealthy, unhappy life. Yes, it's hard to let go of any of them. They say that to know where you're going you have to know where you've been. As I look down on all these pairs of shoes, something stirs inside me... Something exciting, like turning the last page of a chapter in a book and being so eager to start the next chapter. I know exactly where I'm going and can't wait for what the journey brings next! 1. Waking up. 2. Actually waking up. 3. Getting up, out of bed. 4. Hating your life. 5. Waking up your muscles one by one. 6. Check weather, try to make up excuse to not run "Looks like a thunder-typhoon-nado is coming this way!"... Lie. The morning is perfect. 7. Craving coffee immediately, realizing probably not great to digest anything before run. 8. Now fully awake, gearing up for run. 9. Realizing the last 8 steps took 10min+ and now hurrying to get ready so as not to be late for work. 10. Getting out the door, wishing you were still in bed. 11. Lightly stretch your muscles, hit the pavement. 12. Run. At this point, whatever distance/pace/time your body allows. 13. Finish (short and slow) run. 14. Come home, shower, realize the rest of your day is still left... 15. Feel proud you did all previous steps, contemplate an early run the next day :) For me, prepping for a run is a crucial part of the run itself. It's a moment of planning and multitasking. First I think of how long ago I ate or drank anything, and whether my stomach and muscles feel just right to take my body for a run. Next I check that my devices are charged. I'm used to running with music which helps my pacing; and my account on NikePlus tracks my running and achievements, and keeps me motivated. Then I think of what I'm wearing. In the last few years I've invested a lot in my running gear. I only get the best of the best and spare no expense. I want to make sure I'm comfortable for any and all runs. And lastly, I make sure I take money for a Pocari (my sports drink of choice) and my house keys. If any of the above gets 'tampered with', it can affect my run even before I start it! However this little ritual has evolved over time and the only way to give room for these evolutionary changes is to try new things. So in my last run, I decided to try running with a small (25mml) hydration bottle, and break in new running shorts (my go-to's, Lululemon Speed Shorts). I thought this would be a great idea especially now that I'm working on getting my body acclimated to the humidity and weather, why not get it used to other things? So out the door I went, there was a cool breeze that I didn't expect and immediately regreted wearing a running cap. The running shorts were doing ok, I realized they're a bit snug on me right now (the summer sent me back with an extra 3kg evenly spread out around my midsection, back and butt); and don't let the size fool you, holding the hydration on my left hand was proving to be a bigger challenge than I had wanted it to be. But I powered through the first 2.5k. Evertyhing was going as expected until... I had planned to run 5k so as I turned around to head back, I noticed the breeze I had felt before had turned into a pretty gusty wind. I also realized that the path which is usually packed with bikes had suddenly become empty. And then looking into the horizon, there it was, the unexpected. Not only had the storm come out of nowhere, to finish the run I was going to have to run straight to it! At 3.5k it started drizzling, at 4k it poured down. Hard. Ironically I was now grateful that I wore my running cap! It sheltered my eyes from getting stung by the stormy, windy rain. I didn't know if it was going to get worse, so I steadied my pace to get home as soon as possible. Since I was getting drenched, the only thing I wanted from my shorts or any other part of my gear was that the materials not absorb the water and weigh me down (another reason why I invest a lot on my gear), and that they were partly protecting my phone, keys, etc; from getting lost or ruined. Running can certainly bring the unexpected. I finished the run and hopped in the shower as soon as I got home, it felt great :) Although I can't always predict the exact outcome of every run, part of the journey to improve as a runner is in trying new things and being ready to run through obstacles, whether it's running with something extra in your hand or a storm on the horizon, and just power through the new and unexpected. I plan to continue using the hydration bottle for my longer (and dryer haha) runs. I'll write more about how that's going in the future. There is no good reason as to why I have abandoned my blog for almost 5 months. But I didn't abandon running, no sir. Maybe I didn't run as much as I wanted to, and perhaps I didn't break any new records; but I did finish another half marathon. And it was epic. First, let's get the stats out of the way: Run: 'Las Rosas' Half Marathon (Medio Maratón Las Rosas) Location: Antigua, Guatemala Date: July 20, 2014 This run was different from any other I have ever done. And in contrast to the half in Hong Kong, having prepared the way I did and the mindset I was on back in February, I felt like a completely different runner in this one. For starters, I didn't prepare the way I did for the half in February. Not even close. I didn't sweat it, no pun intended :) I didn't make sure to run more than 15k a few weeks prior, I didn't watch what I ate (or drank), nor did I stress about it. Actually, I didn't feel jitters until the day of the run. Secondly, I ran it on my own. Last time a group of us bonded over the run and took steps towards preparing for it together. This aspect made the run a bit lonelier but it took the pressure off comparing time, speed and stamina with others. And lastly, and perhaps the most significant difference, was the location: I was home. Step by step I was reminded where I was, the sights, the smells, the people; oh yes, I was home and that made all the difference. But going back to the stats, it's clear that this wasn't my best run. My time was 20min+ more than HK, and as the chart shows, after 13k, my body started to remind me how important it would've been to better prepare for a challenging run such as this. In addition, there were other factors that I wasn't prepared for:
There is no better way to describe my 5k run today better. It felt like a flat tire. Not just low on air, but dull, heavy and slow. It's been about 2 weeks since the half in Antigua. Since then, not only have I not run but also I enjoyed the last of my summer vacation to the fullest. I visited NYC (one of my favorite cities in the world) and promised myself I would run every day. Instead I ate and drank my way through Astoria, and slept in every day. Sigh. However, jetlagged, tired and hot (temperature here is ranging between 29-35oC, with 80-99% humidity); I still got out there. One of the most important things I have learned as a runner is the conditioning of one's body to adapt to different climates, terrains and environments. This makes one not just a better runner but a better everything. When acclimating to diverse weather, you learn to listen to your body, the changes in breathing and regulating your temperature. Running in highly humid environments for instance, teaches you to take deep breaths during your run, knowing that a big percentage of what you're breathing in is wetness. It helps your lungs get used to the humidity quicker and not feel like you're daily suphocating. It also helps you pace yourself and knowing when it's time to cool down and slow down, and when you're ready to pick up the pace. Running on different terrains is also beneficial in more ways than just physically strengthening your body. Sure the more you vary terrains, the more you'll target specific body parts and in turn make them stronger. But changing up the terrain is also good for problem solving, calculation and critical thinking. You get to know the limitations of your body and set new goals for yourself at each run. And of course, allowing for runs in different environments can be a great way to get to know a new neighborhood, town or city. Today for instance, even through the run was challenging, I loved the view of Hong Kong across the bay, with the sun setting and the light making the buildings glisten in the distance. A scenic view can make you forget the pain and shorteness of breath, and make your run fun. Yes, today felt flat. But unlike before, I now believe that every run, no matter how flat it feels, it helps your grow as a runner as there is always something to learn.
Next run ~ Hopefully Friday, if work doesn't fry me by then Goal ~ 5k without stopping I have 107 days to train for my second half and I'm pumped! And this time around, it's going to be different. I'm a different person, a different runner. My mind has 'graduated' from self-doubt. I now know I can do it, so I'm not out to prove this to myself. No, this time around I only want two things: To run in my home, in the land that I hold so dear in my heart and miss every day; and for my family, the most important people in my life, to be there at the finish line.
But I want to go back to this: I'm a different person. I'm not the girl that is afraid to take chances and challenge my limits. Do I still get nervous before every run? Sure I do. But I don't question it defeating me. I no longer let self-doubt dictate what I set out to do. Last week I went for a 10k and ended up running/walking 6k. It was a bad day to run, my body wasn't ready. And I knew it, but I went anyway. Three days later, I was ready and did 10k. Easily. I can't explain how good that feels: I'm not that girl anymore. When I do yoga, I'm not that lump who "can't do any of the moves". At zumba, I enjoy every beat, every move, every second... I used to take it so seriously and in turn suck the fun out of it. When I run, I don't worry about when my body (but really my mind) is going to give up on me. I don't worry about chafing, about not wearing the right gear, whether I'm timing or measuring my distance. So yes, this time around it'll be different. And instead of knots in my stomach, I feel butterflies :) It's amazing what the internet can inform you of nowadays. It's equally amazing how runners all over the world are willing to share their running experiences, strengths, weaknesses, success stories, 'bad races', advice, injuries, etc. So after realizing I haven't really shaken off this strangely located knee pain, I took to the internet for some answers.
The conclusion: I might have PFPS, a condition more commonly known as runner's knee. Having had knee problems as an athletic teen (I played volleyball since I was 8 all the way up to my late teens, and played semi-pro softball), when I started running, I always knew it was a possibility that my knees would start suffering. As a matter of fact, I'm surprised it took this long for it to start hurting. I know what you might be thinking, this is a self-diagnosed condition, actually, an internet-based, self-diagnosed condition. I should (and I will) visit a doctor. But right now I'm excited about the wealth of information online. So I'm going to follow suggestions and advice about how to 'treat' my condition. How did I "self-diagnose"? I read this article which pretty much listed almost exactly what I'm feeling: It's a strange pain that happens after a run. My knee swells a bit, and I can feel it most when going down stairs. What will I do? Rest and cutting down on long distances is the first advice, but when training for another half, this option is not so practical. So I will wear a knee band (not a fan of knee braces, I've worn them before and besides making my knee really sweaty, they don't really allow for muscles to develop and get stronger). I will also ice my knee after every run and stretch appropriately before and after every run, maybe also consider a yoga class a week. And lastly, I will continue with my strength training twice a week to make my thighs and leg muscles stronger. Wow, I can't believe it's been one month since the race! Who knew recovery would require as much focus as training? This week's plan: Monday - 5k Tuesday - Zumba Wednesday - 5k & possibly hot yoga Thursday - Zumba Here's more info on runner's knee: How to Beat Runner's Knee Taking the Pain Out of Runner's Knee Runner's Knee and Knee Pain: Identifying and Treating Knee Problems in Runners Wow it seems like it was ages that I crossed that finish line, it would be a month on Sunday.
Recovery week was tougher than I thought because it didn't really just last a week. I assumed the recovery would just be physical, but mentally I had to get my head on straight. The accomplishment of completing the race boosted my spirits, no pun intended, and I may have had a bit too much fun celebrating. Although this isn't bad thing, I realized quickly that my body now has other expectations. My body needs to move, it needs to be active, not lay on the couch digesting Cheetos (true story) or be anywhere in the vicinity of a beer keg... So after a week of physical rest and 2 weeks of mistreating my body, I decided to get back on the horse and give myself a cleanse. I've quit alcohol for lent (necessary), I've rejoined Zumba and personal training (even though my knees at times remind me of the half), and, yes, I'm going to start training for another half in July 2014. Get ready for the sappiness that will be this post, I have fulfilled my goal of running a half marathon and there's nothing but emotion in my heart and soul. Official finish time: 2:21:26 (Updated) The Start After what had been an incredibly emotionally draining week, I made it to HK in the wee hours of the morning of Feb 16. Every day last week was a challenge in different ways, but as soon as I got to HK, it became clear there was no other place I wanted to be. I was scheduled to start at 9:30am with the third (and last) group running the half marathon. The marathon runners started in the early morning, and my other fellow runners (Leti, Liz and Lindsay) started earlier as well. I purposefully signed up for the third group since I was expecting to finish the race in a bit under 3hrs. Little did I know my body and mind had different plans :) The runners' energy was palpable. I had been told by other experienced runners about the atmosphere during a marathon, but the actual feel exceeded my expectations. It also eased my anxiety as I felt we were all on the same proverbial boat. So I focused on taking deep breaths and being there for my runner friends to get ready for their start. Still doing weather diagnostics 30min before my start, I decided on a light tank top and my awesome Lululemon Nothing to Hide jacket. It was the perfect combination! I felt comfortable the whole way, both good choices. I always knew I would run in my shorts (Lululemon Speed Shorts to be exact, my go-to run shorts, they are perfect for my body type), since it's what I always use. Another good choice. I didn't use anything new, all my wardrobe had been ran-in and tested out. I recommend this to any athlete challenging your body: Use what your body is used to, your first half-marathon is not the place to try out new gear. The Race There were so many expected and unexpected things about the race. My first 5k were nerve wrecking. At that point, my body was still warming up. My mind was also having a hard time adjusting... there were so many people! This was overwhelming to say the least. I had read that it was a good idea to find someone to keep pace with, but as soon as I started pacing with someone, I'd lose them. Looking ahead at the sea of people in front of me subconsciously reminded my legs to keep moving with everyone. It wasn't until I passed my 5k mark that it actually hit me - I'm doing this. Music has always an important part in my running, I simply can't run without it. I knew that it would play an important part in this run. Actually one of my biggest fears was that my iPod wouldn't work on race day. I had nightmares about this, it's a big deal to keep me focused. But what I didn't expect was how emotional I would get about certain songs (?!). And there were 3 songs that brought the tears. Crying, by the way, in the midst of such a physically challenging experience, is not recommended to keep your breathing in check. At around 6k, Coldplay's 'Fix You' came on. Immediately I started welling up and I had to remind myself to keep breathing. But as the song built up, so did my running. It was the steadiest 3k I've ever run (see the chart above). I not only kept my pace strong, but I felt strong, and that runner's high everyone keeps talking about? I have no doubt that it took over my body. The adrenaline, the excitement, the being part of something so big... and the realization that I was on my way to reach my long-awaited goal. Then, at around 13km, 'Let It Go' from Disney's movie Frozen, sung by the amazing Idina Menzel; quietly started in my ears, right around the time I was getting to the first big incline in the race. The song is beautiful, no doubt, but nothing to do with running half marathons. However there is a part in the lyrics that goes: It's funny how some distance Makes everything seem small And the fears that once controlled me Can't get to me at all It's time to see what I can do To test the limits and break through No right, no wrong, no rules for me, I'm free! And let go I did. Tears started falling down my cheeks, I wiped them off with my sleeve quickly. I closed my eyes and reminded myself to keep breathing... And then I felt it, my second wind, even though the most challenging part of the race was starting (the 'inclines' that actually ended up being slanted hills), I knew, at that moment, that I was going to not just finish, but finish the strongest I ever had. I checked my watch and couldn't believe the time: 11:17am... I know what you're thinking reader, the corniness and sappiness of this is almost shameful... But it's what happened. The blister on my toe that I'd started feeling back in the first 5k; my iPod's wrong calibration speaking miscalculations into my ears; the cold wind hitting my face and my legs, making my joints crunch at every step; the pain building on my left knee; I could feel them all, but my mind was stronger than they were, my heart wanted to finish this race more than anything my body or my mind could say. So I literally let everything go. In the last kilometer, knowing I was almost there and being certain that my emotions were a ticking bomb, I focused on keeping my pace to cross the finish line... and keeping it together when I got there. But of all the songs, of all the music, of all the empowering lyrics that I could listen to... Defying Gravity from the soundtrack to the Broadway musical Wicked (also sung by Idina Menzel) blasted into my iPod at about 400m away from the finish line. As the crescendo of the song broke, I made a last turn and the view of a massive blue and green carpet caught my eye. I made it. It was perfect. The Finish Line The combination of the music and lyrics, the feel of the soft carpet cushioning my last steps, the clear sight of the finish line right in front of me; it was all too much. I immediately started crying as all these emotions hit me all at the same time. This time, I really had to talk myself out of this reaction because my body couldn't handle it. My chest felt the pressure and it became hard to breathe. So again I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. A few steps later, I had crossed the finish line. So what did crossing the finish line mean? So many things:
This challenge was not in any way the end to something, but the beginning to a new journey. I'm neither scared of what's next nor am I afraid of how long it will take, nor how hard it will be to achieve a new goal. Like I've said before on this blog, this is a journey of firsts and so it will continue to be. So to round up this post and the first part of this journey, I'd like to quote, well, me: "My friends have asked me what has made me take on this challenge, and I tell them, it's because I'm at a point where I'm ok if I'm not able to complete [the half-marathon], whereas before, just thinking of not finishing it devastated my confidence with an immediate: "I could NEVER do that". I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I know myself well enough now that no matter the outcome, the ticker won't win. I'm going for it, that's all that matters." Thanks for your support!
|
Ceci Gomez-GalvezOriginally from Guatemala, I've been living overseas for 11 years (Italy, China). I'm a runner who learns at every step. |