Sunday, February 20, 2011

psyched out. maybe just a bit



in 13 days dan & i head down to seaside,
my favorite place ,
for a quick breath of salty air
a quick dipping of our toes in the perfect white sand
eating shrimp at favorite restraunts
shopping at favorite stores
 and
oh yeah, 
running a half marathon.

in the next few days i have 72 miles to put in.

 i'll be honest,
today i'm feeling a tad psyched out.
i don't mean to be
i don't want to be
but the more i think about running that distance
the more i get a smidge 
well...
psyched out.

i have several friends who run half marathons.
they run them well
& seem to run them somewhat easily.

the last time i ran one,
i was half my current age.
i've been hearing that voice that says
what if this is it?
what if this is as good as i'll ever be?
what if i can't do it?

i know with any challenge 
much of the battle is a mental thing.
right now i'm just in a little mental slump 
& all i need is a giant dose of the "i can's!"

two weeks from this very moment
i'll be driving home,
hopefully with a big medal around my neck
a new vera tote ( all the marathon runners get both)
a funky new race t-shirt
  maybe a little sunkiss on my cheeks
& hopefully one jean size smaller--ha!

i'm hoping i wake up in the morning
all fired up
& back on top of my game again, 
trying not to look at the big picture
the big number
the total distance,
but just taking it 
one mile at a time.
period.

37 comments:

Courtney Walsh said...

I think you are so brave for doing this, Paige! I have never been a runner and I am absolutely amazed at people who can do this! I KNOW you will be just amazing and so so proud of yourself when it's all done! :) Go YOU!!!

Shannon said...

How exciting Paige! You are going to do amazing and I can not wait to hear all about crossing that finish line :)

Kate said...

Just do it Paige. That's all. Don't think to much. Just put one foot in front of the other and just do it. Don't let your mind run the show. You can do it and you will. One step at a time...you WILL do it.

Kat said...

You can do it, you can do it! One foot in front of the other, one step at a time. Kick that pesky doubting voice to the curb and kick some serious half-marathon boo-tay! You can do it. Wow, I would be booking it to the finish line just for the Vera tote alone. Awesome! Toss your cares to the wind and run like a girl! xo

Kelli said...

God has given you all that you need to finish the run...tap in! This will be such an exciting time and I can't wait to hear all about it. I'll be cheering you on all the way in Ohio!

Hood Canal Gal said...

Paige, you can do it! I'm rooting for you and I know it's going to be a great run!

One thing I did with my first half marathon was I dedicated each mile to someone close to me. It really helps come mile 13. Good luck! I'm sure you won't need it though!!!

Megan

One Woman's Thoughts said...

May the wind be at your back.

Jodee said...

Run, Paige, Run! I know you can do it and at your very favorite place on earth too!

Anonymous said...

paige, you will be amazing! just keep sayin, i think i can, i think i can..... i know i will!! think about that warm sunshine beading down on you, the smell of salty air, and your toes in the water! and just remember, everyone back home is cheering you on! we all my not be there to see you cross that finish line but, we'll all be with you in your heart!! go get em, paige!!!

Julie said...

You can do it, Paige! You'll do great! I think taking it one mile at a time is a great approach. Although I don't know personally. It seems like everyone is a runner these days. I'm starting to feel like I should too. :) Can't wait to hear how it goes... Go Paige!

Tammy said...

Hey Paige~so Proud of you! I know you'll be great! Will be cheering you on!
Tammy :-)
JUNK WILD

Lorie said...

On my wrist I wear this verse "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." I imagine you will need the physical strength you are gaining from your training, but I believe that for the rest you can know who is in you and who is for you and He is greater than any thought you have to the contrary.
You've been trough much tougher stuff than this and you are more than a conqueror! You CAN do this!
Be blessed!

Lori Lucas said...

You'll get a whiff of that Seaside air, hear that surf hitting the beach and you will feel restored and ready to run. I have no doubt you will do amazing! Lori L
P.S. My sister will be there....watching....as she is in charge of the OKC Memorial (the site of the bombing) Run. Sadly, this time I don't get to go. I'll be thinking of you tho. LL

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

you are an inspiration! I need to get out there again too!

How did you start up again?

Lea
xo

Jen Kershner said...

You are so brave and inspiring Paige. You have me thinking about running again. I'm not sure I can do it any more but I sure want to try. Thanks to YOU.

Jo said...

You will be fabulous!
The fresh air, time with your husband, and all your hard work will brighten and refresh your outlook. Don't let anyone or anything take this away or psych you out ... just run {and smile with pride}.

Jo

{A*very} Blessed Life said...

You can do it Paige! If any one can, you CAN. I can't wait ot see photos of you with that medal around your neck, Vera bag on your shoulder, and a huge smile on your face. Because you know what, you can do it! And for a little fun, here's a link to the Rob Schneider/Adam Sandler "You Can Do It!" montage. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ2HcRl4wSk&feature=related

Martha said...

you can do it Paige...I'm going to send you a video I linked a bit back about "what if's"
and where you are going to run is a fav place of yours, right so that's even better for the comfort level

Elizabeth said...

this will be a piece of cake for you. if nothing else, you will run on adrenaline, excitement, and exhilaration. it's not how you do, it's enjoying the ride. i'm jealous. way to go!

Anonymous said...

And you'll be driving home with fabulous memories of your accomplishment and a wonderful weekend with your husband!! :)

Simply Jen said...

You CAN do it! Take it one day at a time...one mile at a time...break it down into the miles you are doing each specific day...you WILL cross that finish line! And ya know what...it might not be as fast as you've gone in the past, but relish your abilities NOW! The mere fact you are WILLING and ABLE to train...in the grand scheme of things...is a huge triumph!
I am in the midst of training for a half marathon myself...first one...and I keep telling myself.."Just keep swimming...Just keep swimming..."
WE WILL FINISH!
Jen xo

Kristin said...

We all believe in you.

3 Peanuts said...

You CAN! You can! I know you can! I will be praying you on and cheering you on from texas!!!!

Susan R said...

You go girl.
Just a little poem for you:
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but think you can't,
It's almost a cinch you won't.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man (woman).
But soon or late the man (woman) who wins
Is the one who thinks he (she ) can.
You give it your best Paige, your very best and you are a winner no matter what.
Do me a favor and watch the movie "Facing the Giants" before your race. It will put things into perspective for you.

Miss Gracie's House said...

I want those things, too. YOU can do it...I know you can.
Rene

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

I know you are going to do GREAT!! I'll be cheering you on over here West coast style. Go girl!!

Alecia said...

You can do it...I know you can!!! It's just part of the big race the Lord has you on...go and be a testimony of His goodness and grace...He will be your strength to get you through and He's already gone ahead of you in this...He KNOWS the outcome...and it's probably you sportin' a medal and super cute VB bag! :-)

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." Acts 20:24

Between You and Me said...

you can do it!!!!!

do you have a great playlist to listen to while you're running?

I know you have one...but do you plan on listening to it while you run?

my husband made my playlist for my 1/2 marathon a few years back and at the half way point....he had recorded a pep talk for me...from him and the kids....they told me how awesome and amazing I was and it was just what I needed to press through the last 6 1/2 miles.

don't think I didn't cry my eyes out while I was running...but I finished in 2 hours and 20 minutes...and I was PROUD of myself.

Be inspired....
You can do it.....
Run with JOY that you have legs to run and a heart strong enough to handle it......

can you tell i was a cheerleader all my life?
:)
wish i could be there to cheer you on!!!

Emily said...

Love your blog Paige!! Just wanted to send some words of encouragement your way! I've been reading a book called Get Out of that Pit by Beth Moore. It's based on Psalm 40:1-3. It talks about being stuck in a pit and how God can bring us out, and how He can use it to bring Praise to Him and how many shall she it and trust in the Lord. I also like the verse, Greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world. So excited for you and this journey you're on in running a half marathon! It's challenging and inspiring me!!

Kimberly said...

What an amazing woman you are -- you can do this! I just know it!

Privet and Holly said...

I have
absolutely
no doubt
that you
can scale
this mountain
of doubt, Paige....
You'll finish
and you'll
finish PROUD!!
xx Suzanne

SuZeQ said...

YOU CAN DO IT! Oh yes, you can. My husband is probably 20-some years your senior and he runs marathons. Actually, he's even run many 50Ks - on trails! He ran Pike's Peak Marathon in 2009 - it was his third time but the first two times were 30 years prior. And the best part? His time was almost identical all three times. So, you can do it! Bulletproof Positive Attitude.

Bravehearted Beauty {formerly LLH Designs} said...

I can totally picture you crossing that finish line! And I bet it will mean more to you now than it did half your life ago.

You inspired me to go for a walk today. Not a half marathon, but a baby step. Sometimes that's all we need: one little step of faith!

christan perona said...

Paige, I'm running my first half-marathon this spring, too. Your race's location and prizes seem a bit more enticing than my St. Louis half-marathon, though! You can do it! I, myself, have been wondering lately what in the world I was thinking for signing up to run this race, as well. Can't wait to hear about it...

Arvin U. de la Peña said...

hi..can we exchange link..i hope you can add my blog to your blog list..thank you..

Jboo said...

You can do it Paige!! You're an incredible woman, mother and athlete!! What a great example you are to your sweet daughters (and fans - me included)!

Janet

Katie said...

Although I have never run a marathon of any kind, almost everyone else in my family loves doing it.

My Dad's first half was 3 years ago at the age of 51 after having had gastric by pass surgery(I think that's what it's called) a couple years before. He's got the fever and there is no stopping him now.

If he can do it, I know you can too!