I’m running the Dallas Half Marathon next week. I’ve kind of run this race before – back in 2018 my family did the marathon relay, and I got the lead off the first 7 miles before passing the baton to my sister, who passed it to my mom, then my brother, and my dad crossed the marathon finish line. So fun!
So I’m somewhat familiar with the Dallas marathon race day vibes, but this will be my first time running a solo race!
I signed up for the 13.1 half marathon earlier this fall when I felt the tug to train and race for something. A marathon still feels like too big of a commitment at this stage of life, but a half marathon is attainable.
I so desperately want to PR this half marathon!
I’ve run 1 full marathon and 4 half marathons, but this is my first long race postpartum. I can’t believe it’s been over 6 years since I’ve run a half marathon!
The goal for this race is to set a personal record. I want it so badly!
Sometimes, when I overthink it, it feels a bit silly to me. After all, it’s just a half marathon – not even a full 26.2! I’m not trying to win a college championship or qualify for the Olympics or set any sort of record that anyone, anywhere, will care about.
It’s just something I want to do for me. 🙂
And I seriously want it SO much! I’ve trained my little heart out for the past 14 weeks, and I feel super nervous and excited for Sunday’s race.
Here’s why it matters so much to me: I’ve had several moments this year, which is my 5th year of motherhood, where I’ve had to stop and think, “wait, what do I care about? What makes me feel like myself?”
I’m not a bubble baths-and-massages type of self care girl.
I truly love alone time and personal achievement. Those are an integral part of myself.
And sometimes I feel like motherhood had stripped me of those two things. Training for a race brings them right back.
So I signed up for this race knowing that I absolutely LOVE to set a big goal for myself, enjoy every day of the slow grind to get there, and then absolutely smash that goal. Like, nothing is the whole world makes me happier!
Oh my gosh, does this even make sense? I think I’m rambling a bit now.
But the gist of it is this: I really want to do this for me. I love every bit of the months-long training process, the time management, the struggle to squeeze in a run, the thrill of getting stronger and faster, the absolute FUN of race day…and the PR is going to be the final cherry on top.
Here's what I have to do to PR this half marathon
My fastest half marathon was 1:49.00 back in 2018 when I ran the Oklahoma Memorial Half Marathon. Most of my intense cardio training was actually through…barre classes! I didn’t really do any speed runs.
For this race, I’ve been using the Nike Run Club app, which has a 14-week half marathon training program. I mean, I think I’m a lot faster now than I was back then! I’m also 7 years older and have two young kids who demand my time, so I don’t get as much sleep and rest.
Anyway, I need to go faster than 8 minute 19 seconds per mile if I want to get a personal best.
My big goal, though, is to average 8 minute miles and break 1 hour, 45 minutes on this half marathon.
Again, part of me is thinking, “is this just all so silly? I’m not saving the world or even accomplishing something that matters in the grand scheme of things.”
But I think it does matter, because it really matters to me. I love to compete, I love to set and chase goals, and I’m not kidding you when I say I’ve literally looked forward to every single one of those 61 training runs I’ve done thus far for the race.
Training for races literally fuels me and fills my cup, and I am SO excited for the race on Sunday.
I cannot WAIT for race day for you!!! I know you’ve got this!