Half marathon season is upon us, and I’ve just finished my last virtual race of the summer. Keep in mind that in Houston, race season kicks off in October when it starts to finally cool off, and ends by the spring when it gets hot again. To me, anyway. I can’t/won’t/refuse to run outside when it’s disgustingly hot out. I keep myself motivated by registering for virtual races during the spring/summer/fall months when it’s too hot to participate in local races. Stubborn? Maybe. But it works for me.
I started running in 2014 for weight loss and ran my first half marathon a year later. That surprising and rewarding journey (read about it here) was the start of a yearly routine for me that has enriched my life. Yes, I lost weight, no doubt. But I feel, mentally and physically, better.
I have short term and long term goals that keep me on track. I run on vacation. I travel for races (any excuse, right?). And I’m both proud and humbled that this life change has inspired others. Several close to me have come to me for training advice and gear advice. To me (seriously?)! Y’all flatter me, truly. Whatever the reason, running is personal, at times frustrating, and other times ridiculously satisfying.
And despite best intentions, putting on the shoes and getting out the door is the hardest part. Nope, not the running. Going to run just sucks. It’s all mental. So because I’m stubborn, I force myself to do it because I’ve committed to races and I refuse to let myself, and the small few that look up to me, down. Part of the commitment is registering (paying hard earned money) for virtual races during the spring/summer/fall months. I prefer Virtual Strides and have run nine of their virtual races over the past three half marathon seasons. I run these races at my gym’s indoor track during the summer months, whenever they have a pretty medal that I want, or when they’re funding a charity that I want to support. Register, train, run, report, receive medal in the mail, repeat.
Medals! Race bling! Weapons (medals are heavy, am I right?)! I like stuff, so like other weirdo runners, I earn (hoard) these medals like The One Ring. One of the stunners I earned this summer was Virtual Strides’ Quest for the Lost Scroll (read the review here).
So my training season is now over, and my half marathon season begins this month. I am ready. I have four half marathons scheduled this season:
- Houston Half Marathon, October 2017
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Las Vegas, November 2017
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in San Antonio, December 2017
- Aramco Houston Half Marathon, January 2018
…and I could be talked into a half marathon in February to end the season, if it fits my schedule.
Read about my other adventures in running and gear reviews here. Happy running!