I have run out of excuses about why I have not blogged in so long but truly I have filled my time in recent months focusing on multiple things. #1 has been my health. I read an article in Redbook Magazine a while back about this lady who decided that the only way she would get in shape would be to focus on increasing her activity and be forced to improve her nutrition while being active. She was encouraged by a friend to train for a half marathon so they registered for the WDW Disney Princess Half Marathon and began a training program.
Suddenly the light went on for me...I could totally do that!! Anyone who really knows me knows that I have always struggled with my weight and I will be the first to admit that I have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with my body. I have always avoided mirrors and on a regular, daily and even hourly basis I think about how I look and what short-falls I might have. I have always known this isn't healthy or good. I know I am not ugly and I know I don't give myself enough credit and I certainly do not want to pass this on to my children...I just needed to prove to myself that I can do something that I set out to do and succeed!
Well that was back in about September of 2009. Today it is March 16th, 2010 and I am proud and happy to report that 9 days and 20 pounds ago I ran my first Half Marathon! The WDW Disney Princess Half Marathon, in fact. (The crowd cheers, whistles and screams my name in Victory!!) I set out to accomplish this goal and I did it.
After reading that article I developed a new obsession. I eagerly researched websites, read a few books about running, found a workout, and worked this obsession into my daily routine.
I, of course had the support of my awesome husband who always takes care of our kids and makes dinner so that I can go for my 2 hour runs or go to the gym. He let me spend the money to register for the race, buy the books, pay for the gym membership, buy the equipment (shoes, clothing, etc) and a couple podiatrist visits, get to Florida to participate in this race and all the incidentals that came along with the awesome week in Florida. He was there at the race with me to hug me right before I just about passed out after the finish.
How was the race? It was awesome! It was so much fun and even though I was running by myself, there was so much encouragement from fellow runners (about 14,000 of them) and the crowd that I felt like a conquering hero coming home after a winning battle. It was invigorating. I felt like vomiting and could barely walk for a couple hours afterward, but all that aside, I DID IT! My goal was to finish in under 3 hours and my official time was 2:59:47. Just 13 seconds within my goal! YES!!
I have told myself for years that "I have never been a runner. There is no way I can run 2 miles, let alone a 13 mile race!!" Well, HA!!! I laugh in the face of the naysayers (mostly myself) and am now registered for 2 more races this year.
I want to say thank to everyone who has supported me and congratulated me through my training and since the race. Nobody really knows what it means to me and my self-esteem to feel so much love and even a little bit of, uh, envy (he-he). I mean, I have done something that many people only wish they could accomplish. But to all those people I would say... "Stop wishing and start doing!! If I can do it, you can do it. You don't have to come in first. Just crossing that finish line made me feel like a gold-medalist and all I can do now is get better and fitter and happier with myself than I have ever been."
Anyone wanna go for a run??
Suddenly the light went on for me...I could totally do that!! Anyone who really knows me knows that I have always struggled with my weight and I will be the first to admit that I have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with my body. I have always avoided mirrors and on a regular, daily and even hourly basis I think about how I look and what short-falls I might have. I have always known this isn't healthy or good. I know I am not ugly and I know I don't give myself enough credit and I certainly do not want to pass this on to my children...I just needed to prove to myself that I can do something that I set out to do and succeed!
Well that was back in about September of 2009. Today it is March 16th, 2010 and I am proud and happy to report that 9 days and 20 pounds ago I ran my first Half Marathon! The WDW Disney Princess Half Marathon, in fact. (The crowd cheers, whistles and screams my name in Victory!!) I set out to accomplish this goal and I did it.
After reading that article I developed a new obsession. I eagerly researched websites, read a few books about running, found a workout, and worked this obsession into my daily routine.
I, of course had the support of my awesome husband who always takes care of our kids and makes dinner so that I can go for my 2 hour runs or go to the gym. He let me spend the money to register for the race, buy the books, pay for the gym membership, buy the equipment (shoes, clothing, etc) and a couple podiatrist visits, get to Florida to participate in this race and all the incidentals that came along with the awesome week in Florida. He was there at the race with me to hug me right before I just about passed out after the finish.
How was the race? It was awesome! It was so much fun and even though I was running by myself, there was so much encouragement from fellow runners (about 14,000 of them) and the crowd that I felt like a conquering hero coming home after a winning battle. It was invigorating. I felt like vomiting and could barely walk for a couple hours afterward, but all that aside, I DID IT! My goal was to finish in under 3 hours and my official time was 2:59:47. Just 13 seconds within my goal! YES!!
I have told myself for years that "I have never been a runner. There is no way I can run 2 miles, let alone a 13 mile race!!" Well, HA!!! I laugh in the face of the naysayers (mostly myself) and am now registered for 2 more races this year.
I want to say thank to everyone who has supported me and congratulated me through my training and since the race. Nobody really knows what it means to me and my self-esteem to feel so much love and even a little bit of, uh, envy (he-he). I mean, I have done something that many people only wish they could accomplish. But to all those people I would say... "Stop wishing and start doing!! If I can do it, you can do it. You don't have to come in first. Just crossing that finish line made me feel like a gold-medalist and all I can do now is get better and fitter and happier with myself than I have ever been."
Anyone wanna go for a run??
Amy Erickson Bib #4578 Official Race time
1 comment:
Congratulations! That is awesome and inspiring!
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