Power of One!

I am over half way through my training plan (well, kinda....but more on that later) for my upcoming half marathons!  I have felt so good and strong on my long runs.  It feels good to run long again!  I'm even happier that I've been training on my own and thriving!  You see, shortly after the marathon in October, I was "dumped" by my training partner (and very talented sister) in the pursuit of a BQ.  Being new to running in general, I had never run more than 10 miles by myself.  I wasn't sure I could do it.  I know a lot of people train by themselves, but I'm a wimp!  I need that distraction, companionship, and confidence that comes from running with others.  Or so I thought.  This training cycle has proved to me that I can do pretty much anything!  I've ran through frigid temperatures, inches of snow/slush/ice and rain.  And I've done it all on my own.  No one expecting me to show up at the crack of dawn for a training run.  No one encouraging me when things get tough.  Just me and the open road....and it's so empowering!  I was really worried about running the Kentucky Derby Festival half by myself.  Now, I think I may rather enjoy running it by myself.  No one to worry about, but me!  Sure, I'm gonna feel like a loser standing at the starting line by myself, but once the gun goes off, I'll be fine.  For my second half marathon in Indy, I'll be running with my good friends.   And as alluded to earlier...I may be doing a third half marathon in Cleveland on May 16th.  This is the marathon my sister is running and I had wanted to go up and cheer her on anyway.  One of my co-workers may be doing this race with me.  That will be 3 half marathons in 4 weeks!  Despite my new found running independence, I think I will be happy to have the added support and companionship on the last two!

These next two weeks will be my biggest mileage weeks and then I'll start tapering down.  It just so happens that I'll be starting a new job in the coming weeks, too.    Nothing like a little stress in one's life!  I just hope and pray for my continued strength and endurance and that I can stay injury-free.  Although my feet/shoe situation isn't ideal right now, I'm working through it.  I'm still trying to find the perfect running skirt.  I really appreciate all the feedback from my earlier post.  I think I'm going to go with the Skirt Sport one.  I was hoping to find one at a local retailer, but no such luck.