I did a half marathon last Saturday, I completed 21 K in 3 hours 8 minutes. Still a galaxy afar from Eliud Kipchoge time record. But I finished it, and I am so damn proud of my self, of these beautiful legs, of this body of mine. It was my very first half marathon and I have not trained properly nor I do extensive research about how to prepare pre-race, at the race and post-race. All I said to my self when I signed up for entering the HM was: I have done three 10 K run before, so mathematically speaking I am able to do a half marathon. But for you my fellow readers, if you want to try a HM please don’t take my word too literally; training properly will help you tremendously to avoid injury and prepare our body to do a very hard work: running for a long distance.

Let’s talk about readiness, did I feel ready to run a 21 KM when I signed up? No, I did not. I questioned the decision every single time, “what if” questions swirling in my head, what if my body can’t handle it? what if the weather goddess decide to play a little wind and storm that day? what if my skin burn – in the storm?– you see logic is never a dominant component in my worry brain—. etc ..etc… So I was not ready, but I run anyway, and I finished. Plenty of room of improvement for me and I am happy to be in a healthy relationship with my running.

I am not jealous with others who run faster than me, whose equipment or shoes are more shiny and expensive than me, I keep telling my self, the only thing that matter is that I will cross the finish line. I run and I feel happy, I can let go all the weariness and depression, even for a while. I constantly remind my self, the only person you need to compete is your self, your negative talk.

Cheers, stay healthy,