I walked my half-marathon!

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My base-layer Sunday. On many levels.

I did it.

I’ll say again, more than anything, I’m proud of myself (<—yep. P-word).

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I didn’t bail.

I did it.

When I decided to sign up, back in August, I wasn’t yet allowed to share I was moving.

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I’d found my groove! I didn’t wanna go!

I knew I needed to set myself up for success in the ATX–especially with a transition I was not interested in making.

(it’s not you Austin–it’s me. I felt as though I’d just unpacked!)

I vaguely recalled how, as a new Oaklandite, I longed to get back to Texas.

I knew I could resurrect those feelings if I tried.

I concluded walking through Austin fairly soon after I returned was my answer.

And it was.

What I learned about myself/the ATX during my half-marathon stroll.

Austin has, indeed, changed.Ā  Or I have.

Diversity.Ā  Friendliness.Ā  Landscape. Diversity.

It was all reminiscent of one of my fave quotes:

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It was not the same as my never leaving.

I’m a rebel.

I kinda saw this one coming as it fits with my experience with a trainer (not as a trainer). If you shout at me six more reps!!! I’m more likely to *stop* at four (hence the Mizfit moniker).

If I announce, commit, and state I’m only walking it *actually* sparks me to wanna burst into a run lollop.

I now see how running might have almost been easier.Ā  Shorter.Ā  Yet I know had I committed to the run I’d have wanted to walk.

I know.

It’s exhausting being me.

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(I like to think I looked like this. I ordered this. It never arrived!)

I need to make more time for friendships.

This is a constant struggle for me.

I’m not busy. It is a priority.Ā  I still seem not to have enough hours in the day with workworkprojectschilddogwork.

Choosing to walk the race and savor the talktime was fantastic.

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I’m the master of the leaning-back-awkward selfie.

Which leads me to…

I should love races…but I’m not sure I do.

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I *did* love this lady.

I loved the process of it.

I loved the experience of it.

I’m up and going at 4 am *anyway*.

This race did for me precisely what I needed it to.Ā  It answered my question: Can you go home again?

I still wonder if I’d do this on a regular basis?

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I’m awake. I don’t know I wanna leave the house.

And that’s really it.

The end.

No call to action or question of the day as my mind is wholly and utterly filled with queries.

How can I recreate this wide expanse of time with friends/family?

How do I find my slice of Oakland here in the ATX?

How can I find a way to fit in *more of these walking halfs* without bankrupting myself with babysitters?

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Finished and throwing up the #wycwyc sign.

Ā *drops mic and exclusively *walks*Ā  offstage*

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Comments

  2. Congratulations! Well done!

    If you like races, you should enter. If not: you can always walk.
    I have decided I don’t run races anymore, I don’t like it. I do love walking events but they are not competive which I love. Maybe you can walk a 10K of a 10 miler, less time consuming.

  3. How fun, Carla!!!
    Were you at the back of the pack?
    I have always wanted to walk but am terrified I’ll be the last one in and people will be rushing me.

  5. You look so happy in the last picture.
    I’d love to walk a half-marathon with you if you ever do another.
    You should make it part of your book tour!

  6. YAY Carla! Congrats! You should be very proud, and looks like you had one heck of an experience (and learned a lot)! Now rest up šŸ™‚

  8. Very cool – I love that you did this. I think I could see myself walking a marathon someday. I might need a buddy though or I’d get awfully bored – or maybe that’s part of the experienceā€¦ being ok with being alone on this goal

  9. I just sent this post to my mom! She is turning 64 April 11th and is walking her first half marathon on March 28th! How awesome is that? She’s nervous but I’ve been training her and she’s up to 22 miles a week and did 6 miles on Sunday. This week will be her longest walk yet, 7 miles, and I plan to talk to her part of the time via phone!! You are the type inspiration more women need!

  11. Hooray for doing it! But gosh a half is too far to walk IMO. Haha! But YES to the slice of time with friends! And the tour of your city. I too need to ,learn to make more space for friends.

  13. Glad you had such a good time! I’ve wanted to do that race for years now – the “all downhill” has a huge appeal to me. One of these days… šŸ™‚

  14. Bummer that I didn’t see you, we got to the start with not much time to mix and mingle in the crowd . . . . plus spent a few extra minutes pumping up my 17 yr old who ran it (first half) because “dad told me 2 days ago I had to do this” — he was more upset about being up that early šŸ˜‰ Despite the initial grouchiness, I think he was feeling pretty accomplished at the end! I’m glad your day went well! whoohoo!

  17. Proud of you, too! Maybe you can set up some walking weekend dates with your friends, even if they’re 5K’s. So you can have them in your calendar to look forward to, you know? I know what you mean about not making enough time for our friends. It seems to fall under that ‘always taking case of ourselves last’ category and it stinks.

  18. You did it and you are awesome! I am still sore from a 3 mile fast walk with my dad. Yes, I’m in marathon training, running 30-40 miles a week, and a walk killed my hips.

    Get Tornado to walk with you (or walk with some sprints ’cause that’s what kids that age do). Start with a 5K and work up.

    I can’t walk a half with you (see soreness above), but sometime I’ll walk a shorter race or be waiting for you at the end of a half with lots of high fives. We just need to figure out when. At least we aren’t on opposite coasts now.

  20. No matter how many races I do, I still HATE the early morning routine that comes prior to the start line. Without fail, I always wish that I was in bed rather than running! Fortunately, that feeling goes away as the day progresses šŸ™‚ Congrats again– I too think walking would be WAY harder than running!

  21. I know the feeling of coming back to something and it has changed– it’s not an easy transition, but in time things feel “normal” again. I’ve traveled both to Oakland and Austin, so I can see how you might experience a little culture shock coming and going. The US is so big that sometimes we forget that each state is kind of like it’s own little country. Congratulations on the Half Marathon, walking it would be way more difficult– more time on your feet! Nice work out there.

  25. how do you do more of these marathons? have Tornado join you?

    …and the words you shared, the “coming back is not the same as never leaving” – this! THIS! is so so very important, for basic well being, I think! perhaps not for everyone, but it certainly was for me.

    I am going to sit quietly with my coffee and think…

    and YAY for marathon! XO

  27. Yay you did it! Great job, and yes you’re right if you said you were going to run, you would have wanted to walk the whole time! Funny how life is like that! You answered my question.. I’ve always wondered what time you wake up since you’re always amazing at early morning comments! 4am? No thanks! ha

  28. You’re amazing!! We walked a half marathon a few years ago as our older sister wanted to do one with us and Jen. She doesn’t run so all four of us walked it. It was the hardest thing we ever done, but we did it all together. It was a great sister bonding haha

  29. LOVE.

    The part about coming back not being the same as never leaving? SO TRUE.

    We’ve structured a whole bizarre lifestyle around comings and goings, and while packing up is a hassle, it brings a vibrancy and presence to life to keep seeing one’s environment through fresh eyes. Good for you for seizing the great aspects of transience and not getting too discouraged by the fact that the logistics are often a huge pain in the ass!

    PS… looks like we too are going to be seeking new winter quarters next year, renting out our san diego place… and Austin is on the short list! Be. Very. Afraid.

  35. I knew you could rock this race!!! I love that you stayed with the walking even though there is that “desire” to get done quicker!!! I see 2 ladies walking together in our neighborhood every single morning – there is a part of me that wants to join in just for the bonding time.

  39. Congrats! Maybe you could do more of the shorter distance ones. I am sure there must be plenty there to do. Maybe you could organize a fun walking group or something locally – but a no pressure one.

  42. Love how you are seeing Austin with a set of fresh eyes (legs?) and especially that it provided you quality time with friends. Yes, you need to carve more of that out!

  44. I’m sad I wasn’t able to make it up to cheer 3M (long run the day before + allergies kicking my… piriformis).

    Hey, I just had a thought – maybe you could combine the Friday night spaghetti tradition with walking – go for a walk starting at a public place (Towne Lake, Brushy Creek, etc) at a set time each week. Invite friends to join. Make it easy for people to duck in and out (if you plan to walk 6 miles, do 2 mile loops, etc).

  46. Congratulations on your successful half-marathon experience! Races for me are only fitness commitments to myself. The distance matters not, nor does the pace. It’s simply telling myself that I am worth the time and energy needed to prepare enough to just.show.up. We all know that preparation is as much mental, if not more so. So here’s to you taking care of you!

  48. the last 100 impressions are always the LASTING ones, right? Way to go !! i would have done it with you. Next year! and i wonder how much austin will change this next year. Crazy, eh?

  50. Congratulations!!! I did a half marathon last weekend and after walking much of it, my hips were super sore. 13.1 miles is no joke.

    I hear ya on the babysitter costs and the entry fees too. Man, that all adds up!

  52. Carla, but I always heard that there was a time limit to finish the marathons. Was this one like this? I didn’t know you could walk one. Hell, I didn’t think I could ever run one because I’m such a slow runner. Or were you speed walking? Just curious.

  53. I’ve walked half and full marathons and I’ve run them; walking is much tougher. Even my worst running marathon only took me 4-1/2 hours to complete, but when I walked the Carlsbad Marathon it took me just shy of 8 hours. Eight hours. From well before sunrise until lunchtime. And that was without breaks for meals or rest.

    If you ever want to do another half, just come out to San Diego – we have one seemingly every weekend and the almost-23-year-old girl loves and is loved universally by children of all ages, so no need to pay for the sitting of baby. Also, we can gab the whole time plus stop for coffee along the way!

    xoxo

  55. Congrats Carla! Glad you did this and shared about it. Glad you got to savor miles and conversations with friends. Glad it made you think, as endurance races always do. Glad you got some answers and found some new questions. xoxo

  56. I LOVE this!!! You are seriously one of the coolest people I know. “Know.” Haha! This is inspiring me, especially in light of my post today. I’m going to do what I can and be happy with my choices. Own it!

  57. Throw the Tornado in a wagon covered in a pink tent during your next walk-a-thon and then pull her along as she waves at the crowd like she’s in a parade float. This is such an awesome idea. At least in theory.

  58. I walked a 10km fun run with a friend years ago and that’s something I’d do again. It was a fundraiser – so for a good cause – and a lovely way to have a long catch up. We had no desire / plan to run, so there was no self-consciousness or guilt. Just a nice morning.

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