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Did you know training for a half marathon can become like a second job? It’s true. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone.
Runners are a truly different breed. They are tough. They have grit. They don’t give up. In fact, I myself am a runner.
To be a runner, you have to run. If you run, you are a runner. No question about it. However, this is so much easier said than accepted by beginning runners, including myself. I’m so thankful Jon Acuff (if you don’t know him, look him up!) helped me through the challenge of self-identification as a runner.
I never considered myself a runner, until I read Jon’s tweet:
A thread about admitting who you are:
— Jon Acuff (@JonAcuff) May 19, 2019
Years ago, when people asked me if I was a runner, I would always say, “I run. I’m not a runner.”
I had this silly definition in my head of what it meant to be a “real runner.”
Check out the thread over on Twitter. It is, well …inspiring.
I have used the same excuses with my co-workers, my family, friends, etc.
“No, I’m not a runner, I just run.”
-Me
What the heck! Talk about undervaluing your potential and achievements.
So today, if you’re a runner, accept it. Humbly accept your identity as a runner and bring glory to God through your running.
Now that we have a mutual understanding
Did I mention I ran a half marathon this month? Yeah! That’s right, a whole half marathon. Or three 5k races. Either way you look at it, we ran over 13.1 miles for fun on a Saturday morning. Better yet, we paid to run for over two and a half hours on a Saturday morning! Regardless, it was worth it in the end.
Back to where it all began
It all began on a rainy Friday night about a month after I met my friend Stephanie. Stephanie brought up her desire to run a half marathon sometime in her life. Next thing I know, right then and there Stephanie is researching half marathon races and discovered three half marathons coming up in our city! She read me the list of races. Being the supportive friend that I am, I listened intently, offering supportive and encouraging remarks. It went something like this:
Stephanie: “I really want to run a half marathon”
Jessie: “Oh, wow. Yeah, that sounds fun!”
Stephanie: “We should run a half marathon together!”
Jessie: *deer in headlights face*
Stephanie: *long pause*
Jessie: “Yeah, let’s do it!”
Jessie’s thoughts: “What did I just commit to?”
A little background
For several years now I have been searching for an answer to get more movement and activity in my life. I grew up on a farm and maintained an extremely active lifestyle throughout my childhood. Then came the treasured college years. I liked to eat in college. You can use your imagination as to what the impact of unlimited chocolate milk available at every dining hall can do to your physique. So, this idea of getting good cardio exercise regularly, with someone else also holding me accountable, I was all in!
Race registration deadline approaches. I did it. I signed up! Stephanie signed up. Finally, we are registered for our first half marathon. There is no going back now. We are all in, 110% committed to running our race. This is where the rubber hits the road.
We were both committed.
Let the training began!
Beginning in late 2018, we started our training with the Couch to 5k app. To say this was a challenge is an understatement. In fact, my friend Jeanette’s goal for January 2019 was to run for an entire 25 minutes straight! She did it. In fact, we all achieved her goal! Once we completed the full schedule on the Couch to 5k app, Stephanie and one of her experienced running friends introduced us to this more detailed, expansive running schedule.
This schedule began mid-March. Training without a treadmill during the extended winter we had was unbearable at best for several early runs. The distances began to get longer and longer. As I mentioned before, I was active in high school sports and other activities. However, before this journey, three or four miles nonstop was my farther distance. The day we ran five miles, the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment was enough to fuel me for the long haul.
The training continued. Five miles one weekend, 6 miles the next weekend. Then it happened.
My knees.
My knees were in so much pain. Every run, irrespective the distance. It was unbearable.
By this time, I ran each long distance run with my friends Stephanie and Jeanette. I should tell you, my tribe isn’t your typical, ordinary friends. My tribe includes Stephanie, with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Jeanette, who is a saint of a woman with a Masters in Exercise Physiology plus one full marathon and three half marathons worth of experience under her belt. I’m over here with my bachelors and zero experience running and facing unbelievable pain in my knees begging for relief. The suspected offender is my bulky trail shoes, which as I learned, are not at all designed for long-distance running. I heed their advice and head off to purchase new shoes that day.
Thanks to the footwear expert at Tryathletics, I was back on the trail the next day. It was night and day the difference a well-designed, cushioned shoe can bring to your running journey. If you’re struggling with knee pain or any other pain while running, please go see your healthcare professional. Don’t suffer any longer!
Try these Mizuno Women’s Running Shoes for yourself!
The training was coming to an end. All the miserably cold runs through the long winter paid off. I felt the best I had ever felt for our 12-mile run two weeks before the race. I couldn’t wait to run the full half. We had come so far!
Post mid-week 5 mile run 
Post 8 mile run 
Post 11 miles 
Post 10 miles 
During our 6 mile run
I’ve heard it said progress is the #1 motivator of people. I look back at my experience training. Each week we crossed off a long-distance run, the motivation to keep going, to achieve our goal, was stronger than ever. Remembering our first goal, to run a mere 25 minutes, non-stop. We achieved this and numerous others along the way. That’s real progress and intensely motivating.
“Progress is the #1 motivator of people.”
-Rod Osthus
Race day has arrived! We are ready!
There we are. Killing it.
Unable to run a mile without stopping prior to this journey, to setting a half marathon personal record. This experience opened my eyes to how strong my body is, how loyal my tribe is and how remarkable my God is. I never could have run this race alone. You don’t have to run your race solo either.
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