there was a time
when i ran 10k races frequently.
at least monthly, & often times more than that.
gregg ran college track
but became a distance runner in his 20's.
he ran marathons
while i trained for half marathons.
i love running.
always have.
i am fired up excited...
what do you get when you combine my favorite place
& my favorite hobby?
well i'll tell ya...
(for some reason the hyperlink won't highlight in color, but you can click to open the link)
the last time i ran one of these
i was much much younger
& much thinner
pre 30's, pre 40's, pre FOUR children.
oh my word.
the other day i headed out for my long run of the week.
i found myself completely mentally defeated.
'who do you think you are'
' you can't do this'
'you're only running 5 today...in 8 weeks- 13?. doubt it'
'you'll be the oldest one there'
'you'll finish last'
seriously
i think the physical challenge will equal the mental challenge ahead of me.
i will, however, tell you a couple things that i think are honestly just little gifts from the Lord.
first of all, i was holding off on the pricey registration fee
until after Christmas.
each day i'd pull up the facebook page & check updates
only to find one day, that it had filled up!
several days later i received an email from one of the event planners
-there were a few extra numbers available from sponsors not running.
score!!
then came booking a place for the night.
seaside is not a budget destination,
well not in our checkbook.
almost all the smaller sites were already booked
for the race.
my new bff at the cottage rental agency
emailed yesterday
& offered us a sweet deal
(less than half the normal fee)
at Inn by the Sea!!
( dan & i stayed there on our honeymoon!-it was josephine's back then)
score again!
i might feel a tad old
& a tad intimidated
( i have visions of being lapped by super slender blond 26 year olds. multiple times)
but
i can NOT wait to run by the ocean
even if it is for 13.1 miles!
i'm hoping that same somewhat miracle
that occurred giving me both a great place to stay
& a number for the race
will translate into a new can-do attitude.
i'll keep you posted!
Posts
50 comments:
YOU can do this, friend!
I am pretty sure we all have a little smarmy voice living inside our heads that tells us we can't....
praying for you..that the voice of truth speaks louder to you in your heart than the smarmy voice speaks in your mind.
I've only ran one 1/2 marathon....want to do it again so bad...we'll see if it ever happens...I have a lower back that doesn't like to cooperate with distance running anymore...
oh honey. you can do it. i have faith in you. what a beautiful place to run. and God is paving the way for you to get there. i know he will be with you on the run.
How exciting, Paige! I, too, know you can do it! Happy training!
I can't wait to see your 3,569 pictures from that weekend!
Awesome. Good for you. Best of luck....You can do it.
You can totally do this. Isn't it crazy how we talk ourselves down? The Lord will life you up no matter what.
Paige, YOU have the BEST CAN-DO spirit of anyone I have ever seen. When you are out there training for this race, you just think of those four beautiful daughters of yours and how you are raising them in Christ's love. You are an AMAZING,Beautiful person. Those 20 something blondes have nothing on you! Let God be your personal trainer running along side you. I know He is cheering you on! You go girl! And BTW the link did show up in color. Happy training!
you can sooo do this girl. He will give you the strength and the focus to make it happen. I am truly inspired! Those twenty something blondes have nothing on experience!!! Smile while you run and have a ball!
I'm rooting for you!
Oh and don't worry about being passed up by 26 year old blonde girls....I can't run more than a 5k and it took me 6 months to train for that (haha)! Your are amazing & beautiful!!!!
Biz
http://busybizblogs.blogspot.com/
oh paige, you'll do great! i ran my first half last year and was so intimidated when i first began training. but i decided that was foolishness! i was going to run at a pace that suited my age and body - i set my own goals regardless of what those i was training with were doing. good luck! i know you'll have a great time.
you can do it! and what better place to run than gorgeous seaside? i'm headed there this weekend ~ such beautiful proof of God's creativity!
Gooooooo Paige!
You can do it. Don't let in those negative thoughts. God is opening the road blocks. You are always an inspiration to me.
Looking forward to the pictures.
Go girl go! You can do it. I am a former marathoner that just does half marathons. At age 51 and 5 knee surgeries, the body needs a little more rest. Just remember that it is your race and nobody else. Good luck. I do the run walk program from Jeff Galloway. I am not sore and recover quicker. Good Luck!
I wish i could do it with you! Sounds absolutely amazing! a marathon in seaside! A dream come true! I just emailed neal like 10 minutes ago begging to run the disneyland 1/2. That would be my dream. It does get pricey when you need a hotel. I'm so happy for you! Makes me want to do it even more!!
how exciting and fun!!!!
Woohoo! You go girl! In that lovely setting, even I could run (not really, but I could sure be inspired!) ... who cares if some young blonde passes you up -- would you really go back and leave the wisdom the years have given you? I bet not! You can do this! Enjoy!
You can totally do this! And just tell yourself that those blond 26 year olds may run faster, but they don't have any life wisdom.
Also, if I had to run 13.1 miles, there couldn't be a better place than Seaside.
Go for it! What's Nike's slogan? Just do it.
Here's the thing...let's just say you do get lapped by 20 year old, tall, tan, thin, blondie...who cares? The point is, you're in it for you, not to beat everyone else. Just to be able to say you participated and completed it is a huge accomplishment.
If you happen to lap a couple of youngsters, well, that's a bonus.
Paige, you are going to ROCK that thing!!! I just posted on doing something that I'm terrified of doing, and everyone just filled up my comment box with encouragement... I know you're going to get the same thing. I said in my post, that doing things we're scared of doing makes us feel alive. I can only run about 2-3 miles. Well, I've never tried going farther, but it seems pretty daunting, so my hat's totally off to you! Go girl!
A run on the beach...that's my favorite!! You'll do great!!
I'll be cheering you on in spirit!!
Way to go Paige!!!
Tammy :-)
JUNK WILD
Hi,
First let me say how beautiful you are! Stepping up and doing something we are afraid or feel we "can't" takes courage and so you should feel courageous! If the stars have aligned for you to be there - then its meant to be! Be who YOU are and run the marathon that way and you WILL suceed!
Sending you much support and tons of encouragement!
xoTiffany
i love that book "She".
and i love you!
you can do it! you will do it not only for you, but for all those you love.
i believe in you!
xo
Oh you are so going to do this and surprise yourself with how good you achieve this dream. Believing in you and excited for you girly!
Having a goal is major. I know you can do it girl. What a perfect place to run...wowza! I'm excited for you.
Hi Paige, you do not know me, I don't even remember how I found your blog, but I enjoy checking in every now and then. Thanks for sharing your inspirational thoughts! You express yourself elegantly, and are refreshingly open - you are letting your light shine! I appreciate your spiritual messages as well - your blog has lifted my spirit every time I check in.
go Paige, go Paige....uh, huh...oh ya!!
{just be thankful you can't see me do the dance that goes with this chant...}
You are awesome - you CAN do it, and I love how the Lord works - especially when we feel defeated....He's our #1 cheerleader!!
xoxo
You will ROCK it!!! What an inspiration you are for even trying!! I wish I lived near you so you could get my tushy in shape!!
It sounds amazing! My hubby is a runner and I always get choked up when I go to his races. The ability God gave the human body is absolutely unreal! I can't wait to hear all about it. I know u can do it my friend :)
I'm pretty sure that the "A" in A game means "absolutely", so you go, girl! YOU. CAN DO. IT!
You can do it!!!!!
That inn is gorgeous. I love that quote too. I'm going to have to write it down. :)
xo
Good afternoon Paige,
It's really that time of year, isn't it! Boy do I wish I could be there to cheer you on - it looks like a beautiful place! You CAN do it - just think what a wonderful example you are for your four gorgeous daughters!
xo~Jill
I have all the faith in the world in you....and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see you bring your A+ game, my friend!
Big, encouraging hugs,
Anne
guess what ?
i'm in seaside right now....and it's my favorite place, too......
now running a marathon anywhere is not on my list of things to do, but i would cheer you on :)
i found you via christina...soul aperture :)
That first pic of you is so beautiful . . How exciting, you can do it! Go for it Paige!
You go girl! I think this is an amazing goal and you are going to have such an experience. I loved the way God lined it all up for you, encouraging you along. I can't wait to hear all about it. Seaside is just beautiful.
Oh and I decided to read through the Bible this year as well chronologically. I can't wait to see what God teaches me through this and give Him the time He deserves. Thank YOU for the encouragement.
You are going to rock this race! I'm so inspired by you, I'll be praying for you sweet girl :)
You will do fine! That is a perfect place to run a half.
I have been a runner too, and am getting back to it after an injury.
(I think age got the best of me!)
I'm also trying to lurk less this year on blogs I like to read!
Tamara
Wonderful goal and one I aspire too be able to do by the end of the year. I envy you getting to do it in such a beautiful place but you can do it.
More power to you lady! You CAN do anything you put your mind to!
you go girl!!! i am so very proud of you! i cant wait for you to hit that ground running with a smile on your beautiful face! xoxo
Yea for you!!! This was obviously meant to be and you're going to rock it! You have such a fabulous outlook.
Go Paige Go :)
Jo
first of all YOU look amazing.
i know that you can do this ... i have no doubts.
and all those young girls will be giving a second look to the mom of 4 keep right up steady with them.
next year ... i want to do it. just have to get the rest of my weight off ...so that running doesn't hurt my shins so much ;)
proud of you!!!
believe in YOU!
and it will be so FLAT! perfect!!
Paige = Faith
in my book.
You'll do it.
xx Suzanne
I am so proud of you girlfriend! How amazing that you are so driven to do something regardless of doubts - you inspire me! I LOVE the quote in the photo above yours - perfect for this year. Mind if I borrow it sometime?
We have a Seaside on this coast as well, but I don't suppose that is the one you shall be visiting... If it were - I would be there in a heartbeat to cheer you on!
Bonne chance,
xx
Girl...you can do it!!!
2 things...
1- You gave birth to 4 beautiful girls...not all of those 26 yr old blondies can say that! You have more endurance than you think!
2- You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens YOU!!! :-)
I can't wait to hear how it goes and I GUARANTEE you will NOT be the oldest one out there...That's a money back guarantee too! LOL
You ABSOLUTELY can do this! Here is my motto, "If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right."
Now, get out there and show those 20 something's what we 40 something's are all about.
Run Paige Run!
From what I think I know of you by reading your blog for the past several years, I would say that you WILL succeed in accomplishing the needed training & you will finish the race !
I admire you BIG time for this !
You, GO GIRL....I'm here, in Indiana, cheering you on !!
Yeah for you! I'm doing this race, too and cannot wait!
I am so jealous. But I hope you have a wonderful time. Make sure you stop by the Red Bar in Grayton Beach (yum).
I have not been to your blog in a long long time...So I've just been reading post after post. I am so encouraged that you are beginning to run again. I am about your age...I was a runner in H.S. Four years varsity cross country and track. In college I ran 10k races often, until I joined the crew(rowing) team. I have tried for the past 10 years to get back to running 10k races but every time I begin training I get injured. I also have four children ages 20-15...I want to return to running. I guess I just need to keep trying. AND you have inspired me! thank you.
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