I’m running a half-marathon (AKA practicing what I long to preach).

by

new balance running shoes

For the past few Saturday mornings the child and I have headed to Lake Merritt and met up with a group called Running for a Better Oakland  (RBO for short which lends itself fantastically to the oft shouted by 8 year old types & their annoying 44 year old compatriot LETS GO RBO!!!).

It’s been fun.

Surprisingly fun.

*Still* fun when we ran in pouring rain and did mountain climbers whilst deftly avoiding clumps of soggy goose poop.

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In addition, the Tornado and some classmates have gathered on the playground after school and run laps around the building.

Instead of whining about this plan—as quite frankly I’d anticipated—she’s viewed doing the laps as hardcore.

(she’s NOT her mother’s daughter in that way.)

As badass.

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All these RUN’ventures and practices are leading up to the Oakland Running Festival.

The Tornado & I and all the other R.B.O. runners will come together that morning and run the 5k.

She is her mother’s daughter in the sense she’s not a fast runner which has resulted in our having the conversation *many* times where Ive told with her:

I don’t care if we are the last pair to cross the finish line. I don’t care if we walk a LOT.  All I care about is we’re having fun!

Last week, in response to the above sentiment, she responded:

Right! Because this is the first time you’ve ever competed, or trained or done anything before.

At first I was shocked.

Hadn’t she noticed the photos of me competing hidden somewhere around the house?

Didn’t she remember when I ran my only race ever that Disney half-marathon?

She’d didn’t.

She knew I rocked the PLAYouts—but she didn’t recall my setting a lofty goal, training, and giving my all on the day of the event.

slacklining I slackline.  I don’t compete!

Her comment both surprised me and sparked me to wonder if it would be a gift to *her* if I trained for something or competed one more time.

If I practiced what I LONGED to preach about setting and working toward goals in all realms of life.

I knew I wasn’t crossfit.  I knew I didn’t want bodybuilding.  I’d EXPERIENCED and she’d seen how running was not my gift.

I received an email and I took it as a sign.

The email was from ZOOMA a group I knew to be run by women.  In all sense of the words.

An all female staff.  Mainly run (in the literal) sense by women as well.

Strong women. BRAZEN women.  Women who were unapologetically themselves.

unapologetically myself

They invited me to come speak at their Napa race and, instead of responding with a resounding YES! I responded with a YES, BUT…

Yes, but may I also run the half-marathon that weekend?

Hitting send on that email was a pretty terrifying experience.

Forget the Zooma women (I knew I could always feign an injury with them and still show up to speak)—once I told the child I was training for a half-marathon I’d be completely committed.

I’d have to follow through.

Plan, train, and race.

It doesn’t matter to me how long it takes to find that finish line—-I need to cross it.

I will cross it.

Remember this photo from four years ago (yeah, I barely do either.)?

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That’s what I’ll be at the ZOOMA race in June.

Guest speaking, feeling terrified and seeking my badass inner mother runner one final time.

And now I turn to you.

  • What’s your best tip for a NonRunnerMother?  Galloway? Hal Higdon? It’s all a jumble up in herre…
  • If you could hear me speak on *any* topic under the sun—what would it be (not rhetorical! not rhetorical!)?

 

 

 

Zooma generously invited me to speak and, at my demand request is also paying my race fee.  This is all highly kind yet does nothing to mitigate my terror.

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Comments

  1. Wow, just when I thought you couldn’t surprise me anymore, you just did by committing to running a half marathon which I’m sure you will be great at, as in everything you do.

    I’m not a mother but I run (at least I say I do). At this moment I’m working to get back at a 5K nonstop but back in the days when I was in great shape, the Hal Higdon schedules worked great for me.

    Good luck but mostly: have fun with the training.

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  4. Woohoo! They picked a fabulous woman to speak and you are a brazen woman for putting yourself out there. YES! I highly recommend Hal Higdon plans for beginners. It’s simple and straight forward. Good luck!

    • I second the Hal but also recommend you check out the Galloway method too.
      Do you know if you want to get a certain time?
      Really just finish?

  7. oh i wish i could come run it with you! you’ll do great! and i love that you are speaking! zooma is lucky to have you. Tornado will be the best sherpa sidekick!

  8. BOOM! I was getting all excited thinking this is the perfect excuse for me to get out to California, but STUPID DATE CONFLICTS 🙁

    Your going to have a blast!

  9. I couldn’t believe the title — it’s true! Tons of women in my MomsRunThisTown group swear by Galloway. Maybe you can find an MRTT group for your longer training runs? They are reliably badass but also incredibly supportive, encouraging and motivating!

  12. Oh, how I wished I could run that half-marathon when I saw it advertised. Now I wish EVEN MORE than I could do it! That is so awesome!!! You are going to do great!

  13. Woohoo! You got this! I’m a huge fan of Hal Higdon’s plans, but if you prefer to run/walk, then Galloway is excellent.

    AndZOOMA? I heart ZOOMA! The founder lives near me and I just love their races. Wish I was running that race with you!

    Have fun!

  14. You are a PERFECT fit for ZOOMA!!! They are so blessed to have you!!! I now wish I was running Napa….what are the odds you’ll just LOVE running Napa and you’ll come to the Cape Cod race too?!

    • Haha I was thinking the SAME thing. As for training plans, find one your comfortable with but also listen to your body. If you want to do 5 miles when you’re supposed to do 6 and vice verse that’s okay!

  15. I don’t run, but you don’t either 🙂
    I would LOVE to hear you talk about goal setting with something like this and how you do it.
    You will do it!!

  16. You can do it Carla! I finished 2 marathons and tons of half marathons. I am NOT fast at all. When we would train I used to laugh when the coach said. “don’t run your race day pace” and I thought “this is my race pace!” I always did a run/walk. Run 6 minutes walk 2. I liked having that break and not feeling like I had to do the whole thing without stopping.

  18. Oh, honey. At 273 lbs I am on week 2 of C25k. I don’t run. Never have. A year ago I weighed 322 lbs. My inner fat girl keeps saying – “Big girls don’t run.” My future former fat girl says, “They do now!” Sheer determination is going to keep me working working working toward being able to do a 5K….even if I have to walk most of it (I know I can do that). How? It’s a mystery. But it’s one I’m determined to unravel.

    My inner super hero says – “You must break the fat girl stereotype.” And break it I shall.

    You? Do it. Sheer determination!

  19. That’s awesome, congrats! I’m looking at doing Zooma here on the Cape in the fall.

    From my own personal experience as a very slow, kind of still newbie runner, would maybe be Galloway. You’re much more fit than I am though, so you’d probably do great with Hal Higdon. I did Higdon and loved this plan, but I think it moved too fast for me so I got injured trying to push myself to match it instead of holding back a week or two. I’m doing a somewhat Galloway-ish thing now where I run for 4 min and walk for 2 min. It’s just what’s right for me now. You’ll figure out what’s right for you! 😉

  20. I KNOW you’ll be a fantastic speaker and will completely rock that course!!! I do love Hal’s plans. It’s all about having fun!

  23. I’m very excited for you! I know you’ve been hinting at this, so it’s great to hear the details. And Napa? Doesn’t get any better!

    Happy to help with some training ideas if you’d like!

  24. Awesome!!! I ran the zoom cape cod race in 2012. Terrible race for me (I puked. Twice.) but it was a good race overall. Well organized and such a good women vibe.

    Hal higdon a good way to go. My advice is to run slower than you think you should on your long runs. Training isn’t about racing, it is about getting used to the time running. I’d also recommend making sure you run 12 miles before race day.

    Biggest thing – enjoy it!!!! ZOoma is fortunate to have you participating!!

  27. Music to my ears!! Start slow and build up of course – you’re super healthy and have endurance but want to make it healthfully through 13.1! You’ve got this!

  29. I do Galloway. But, that’s more recent than any half marathon that I’ve run. You’re going to be awesome. I have a mantra on my ID bracelet that says “It’s all mental”… it is. Follow a training plan that works for you and the rest is in your head.

  30. It’s a sad day when signing up for a half marathon is considered “bad-ass” and “brazen”- what DID I fight for in the 70s before title 9 was passed? I think all women have forgotten those times and how far many of us have come in the world of women’s sports at the high school, collegiate and professional level. How can women these days be so ignorant of all this. Please write about it. If you know about it.

    • it is HUGE for me. Im not a runner. I have barely run a step in … 6 years? It is BIG for me and I think just as FEMINISM is about choice (you choose to stay home? you choose to work outside home? I support your choice) it’s OK that running a half is indeed a BIG DEAL for me.

      it is.

  31. You don’t need tips, just be you and everyone will fall in love!! I think it’s great that you asked to run–I’m not surprised that you are getting out of your comfort zone. Congratulations momma!

  33. Wow! So excited for you – for both the speaking engagement and the race. I really want to do that one but the timing and finances won’t allow it.

    As for the training – I have friends who swear by Galloway but frankly, I can’t do it. Every time I stop to walk it’s that much harder to start again. I suggest you look into the Finish It half marathon plan from Train Like a Mother. Basically, if you get in 3 runs a week – an easy run, a middle distance harder run that works on speed or hills and then your long run, you’ll be golden.

  34. A non-runner signing up for a half marathon to teach her daughter about goal setting? If that’s not bad-ass I don’t know what is. Have fun with it!!

    • and really 🙂 isnt it ok for our LOFTY IM KINDA AFRAID THIS WILL BE BADASS IF I CAN DO IT goals to be someone else’s I DO THAT EVERY WEEKEND…RUN 13.1 achievement?

      there’s room enough for us all.
      xo

  35. Yay and awesome! I am excited for you and to follow your journey as you step outside your comfort zone… as well as meet you that weekend. I am a Zooma Napa Valley Ambassador and will be there running also! 🙂

  37. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!!!! And wish I could get to CA to run and wine with you!!! <3 You are going to do awesome Carla! 😀 I used Hal Higdon when I did my first half. I've since done 3 more and can tell you that there's no cookie cutter solution. So I say find a program to loosely base your training on, and listen to your body above all.

    This is so cool in the sense that Kenzer was 8 when she and I did her first 5K together, and it also happened to be the year I did my first half marathon!

    I wish her and Tornado could be pen pals. 🙂

  42. I am so excited you’re going to be embarking on this new adventure! I ran the Florida Zooma race and it was one of the best experiences for a race I’ve had- the organization, swag and other ambassadors were great.

    Can’t wait to follow your journey.

  43. Congratulations friend! That is awesome! I think it’s so great you two are running together! My oldest son told me the other day that he may be interested in running cross country. I have to hold my excitement back a bit because I would LOVE to run with him. Baby steps…

  44. Good luck with the half! You can do it – I have no doubt about that. Just remember your goal to have fun and enjoy (and that means the training, too!)

  46. Go You! I am a total turtle when I run (I think I can walk quicker than I run), but you’re right, you’re faster than anyone on the couch. You will totally rock this race.

  48. I think I was more scared signing up for my second half marathon than my first – since I knew the pain I’d be going through. 🙂 Follow a plan if you can, but at minimum, get out 3 times a week to run something (at least 3 miles), make one run a week your long run (start at whatever is long for you right now and add a mile a week, and take a step back every few weeks) and get to at least 10 miles on your longest run and you’ll be fine to finish. Listen to your body. If you’re just sore, an easy run can make you feel better. If you feel wrecked, rest. Don’t ever let a plan bully you into injuring yourself. Everything else is gravy.

  49. Carla, I heard in our group {I am a Napa Ambassador} that you were going to be attending and speaking at the Napa Zooma run. I am so looking forward to meeting you {I have been following for some time}.
    This will be my very first ever half marathon and I am attempting to train and finish in before everyone heads off to some local winery…
    I love living in the wine country and know that this will be an amazing run. 🙂

  51. I think you said it best when you told the Tornado, “I don’t care if we are the last pair to cross the finish line. I don’t care if we walk a LOT. All I care about is we’re having fun!”
    Same goes for your half marathon!!!
    I love that you are doing this and I love your reason for doing it – your daughter is a lucky girl!!

  54. Wow -That’s exciting. I love that you are looking at it as a fun experience with Tornado. Scary, but sounds like the whole experience will be an an adventure 🙂
    Makes me want to dust off my running shoes 🙂 ah, soon…by the fall I hope to be stumbling around again on the paths a bit! I always liked running best when I worked up to being able to run 6-8 minutes and walking 2 over and over again. It just felt right to me…

  56. This is exciting news! I’m sure you’re scared but you are such a strong person inside and out, you will have no problem.

    My advice…Don’t let it scare you. It’s a lot of fun. I find that the miles roll by without even noticing when I talk to people along the run. Find a few that want to talk and you’ll be done in no time! “)

  57. Great post and i really glad to see you how you enjoy the life with full of entertainment and as a mother you complete your marathon and you inspirational for your kids and your kids feel good with you.I`m also mom and i realize your feeling.

  58. Yay!!! Congrats on taking the plunge. This is SO exciting and you will LOVE the ZOOMA race. I ran my first ZOOMA race in January in Florida and absolutely loved every aspect of the experience. Can’t wait to follow along your journey! xo

  59. Always leading by example! You’re awesome Carla! The lesson she is getting from your commitment to this race is amazing. Congratulations! 🙂

  60. I am a wogger and I wog with my trio (5k’s) and have attempted to follow training plans for longer distances but my piriformis acts up, so I end up not really training and go out on race day and walk more than I jog, but I take a ton of pictures, talk to a lot of people and have loads of fun 🙂

    Have fun….I know you will!

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