I’ve been trying to figure out why I’ve succumbed to being a glutton for punishment over the past 12 weeks.
I get up at the crack of dawn after having minimal sleep and while peeling a toddler off my chest, I tiptoe around the house while putting on my running gear.
Nervously knowing there’s a huge challenge of hills and distance waiting for me.
But this Sunday I’m up for the biggest one of all – my very first half marathon.
And with the running event only 2 sleeps away, I get it. It’s finally clicked why I’ve become addicted to all this running.
It’s not the meditative state when hearing my feet hit the pavement in rhythmic motion.
Or floating on natural endorphins when sucking in that clean, crisp morning air.
It’s the simple sense of freedom.
To have something I can claim as solely mine.
Something I did completely by myself.
And that’s what I’ll be focusing on for the entire 21 kilometres.
Well, I hope to, anyway!
Send some positive vibes this Sunday morning, ‘k?
What gives you a sense of freedom? Am I’m nuts for doing a half marathon?
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Hi Grace, all the very best for Sunday! I am looking forward to seeing how you went. Love your work, keep it up xxxxx
Deb A – An Inspirational Journey recently posted..New Theme: Snap
OMG! I am not a runner. I tried once and my biggest victory has been completing the 5km mothers day run in half an hour without walking and without vomiting … and I only did that ONCE. So the idea of a half marathon? Eeek!
I one hundred percent bow to you Grace. I am in awe of your commitment and dedication.
Go you!!!!
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 1321 – Looking good at any age
Love your work Grace! You are a true inspiration. You will blitz it and remember to have FUN! x
Neets recently posted..Proud to be a Pear!
I am in awe Grace!!! 🙂 I can’t imagine a half marathon……I can only manage 4kms at the moment, and then I am spent!! 🙂 Will be thinking of you lovely lady. You go girl! 🙂 xoxo
Jodi recently posted..What I Discovered #10
I’ll be keeping you close to my heart on Sunday morning. Run your own race and just be what you gotta be. I’m so freakin proud and feeling fizzy for you xxx
kirri recently posted..25 tips for emotional self care
Wowsers! Good luck for Sunday. Wish I could run that far! 🙂
Di @ Max The Unicorn recently posted..Colour Me Pretty Priceline Haul!
Good luck! Marathon next?
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Fraud
Go you Grace, that’s a huge undertsaking, you must feel super fit. I chug along on a treadmill for 30 mins and think I’m a legend… maybe a 9km one day?? Will be thinking of you and cheering you on.
Seana recently posted..Bill Granger’s Chilled Green Soup- In The Thermomix
I wish I could run but my back can’t handle high impact activities! I think it would be a good release though. My long, fast paced walks give me a sense of freedom though. Ooh, long drives, solo, good sense of freedom there.
Go Grace! xx
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Time is everything
I can be your Thelma and you can be my Louise, Kel! Without the dramatic ending, of course 🙂 xxx
Best wishes for the big run Grace!! Pre pregnancy I was accustomed to doing 10ker’s but was working up the courage to do a halfer. I’ll live through you instead!! Enjoy the victory of passing that finish line 🙂
Vicki @ Knocked Up & Abroad recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: A Country Life
Hi Grace!
You are not nuts at all. Running is incredibly exhilarating. Six weeks after giving birth to my first son, I trained for a half marathon and 5 months later I did it! For me it allows to get my blood pumping and literally stamp out all of my anxieties.
Enjoy the feeling and adrenalin in your last few kms in the lead up to your finish line.
Luisa xx
Luisa recently posted..Adult temper tantrums…
Good luck Grace! While I’m up to my eyeballs in toddler party prep, I’ll be willing you and your freedom on! Such a lovely way to put it, well said. xx
natalia familia recently posted..third birthday party :: can she do it? Yes, she can!!
Go you good thing! I so admire anyone who has the stamina to complete a half marathon. And as much as I loathe running, I admit the way you describe the delicious freedom it entails makes me want to strap on the joggers and do the same!
Donna @ NappyDaze recently posted..Gained: One Baby. Lost: One Set Of Social Skills
I’ll be thinking of you Grace , you inspire me to try a half marathon …one day.
Trish recently posted..This is my lot in life. It’s not a lot, but it’s my life.
Good luck to you! You’re an inspiration! I haven’t done this before but I know it will be something you will remember fondly forever. Pushing your body to its limits. Such a fantastic achievement. X
Robomum recently posted..The Day I Met a Talking Pig
Will DEFINITELY be sending happy vibes your way! Chookas – I hope all that hard work pays off. In the form of post-half-marathon foot massages and general pampering. x
Emily recently posted..Our family keeps on keeping on
Congratulations on getting on these blistery cold mornings to go for a run! I admire your dedication … all the best for Sunday!
I struggle with running even short distances so I’m really in aew of those that do marathons. Good on you Mama Grace, all the best!
Ai Sakura recently posted..Must-Read | BLEAGH! A Book about Values
Far out Grace – you are such an inspiration! I admire your commitment and dedication which must be so strong when you consider you have two littlies and broken sleep! All the very best to you for Sunday. I’m sure you will do very well indeed 🙂 Min xo
Min recently posted..Flashback Friday: 1990 – The House the Mash’s Built
I don’t know how you do it Grace. I dd actually start jogging towards the end of last year and finally did it enough to get past the exploding chest stage, and then I kicked my toe and broke it. It is almost 6 months and FAR OUT but I am still not back on the exercise wagon. GOOD LUCK FOR SUNDAY!!!
Sarah@Slapdash Mama recently posted..On being a bad sport – Part 2
Good luck Grace, you’ll do great! I will definitely be thinking about you and sending positive vibes your way.
I must admit to being a little jealous of all the running I am surrounded by, both my sisters have gotten in to running and A did her first half last year. I’ve made a decision that next year I am going to run the Mother’s Day Classic. A small goal to get me started but a goal nonetheless!
Driving is one way I escape, I love being able to just get lost in my own thoughts. Or reading. If I’ve had a total shitter of a day and just want to forget everything, the books are what I head for. They don’t ask questions and they don’t expect things, they’re just there for me whenever I need them.
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions recently posted..The Salmon Tin. A Cautionary Tale.
Great things happen when you believe in yourself. You are such a courageous, inspirational woman Grace 🙂 Heaps of good vibes and positivity coming your way for Sunday xxx
Sabeen recently posted..{Empowered Motherhood} Fiona Holmes – Imogen’s Angels.
Go like the wind Grace! Thinking of you on Sunday – hopefully the weather will be great for running!
Steph x
Stephanie recently posted..Test Kitchen Thursday – Hoisin Pork Noodles
Wow! Grace I wish I can be as determined as you are! Blogging does in some ways give me freedom – to speak my mind and think my thoughts are heard! 🙂
All the best for Sunday!!! Will definitely be thinking of you and cheering on!!!
Good luck on Sunday!
Janet recently posted..Occupational Hazard
You’re not nuts, you’re amazing. I’m so jealous. I wish I had done this when I was your age. Good on you.
Kate recently posted..Snuggle bags for my Guinea Pigs
Go Grace!
What an inspiration you are!
Can’t wait to hear how it goes! xxx
Rebecca recently posted..Cooroy Fusion Festival
It’s a pretty great incentive – some “me” time. Still not enough to get me running, but enough to get me to the gym. I wish you all the best Grace – I hope it’s an amazing experience for you. You’ve worked so hard for it – I am so impressed!
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right recently posted..Drama classes and acting for teenagers
Gosh I never realised that you were a runner. All the best for Sunday – and yep the feeling of having something (anything) to yourself is worth those early morning wake up running challenges 🙂
Lisa Wood recently posted..So Very Sorry I Have No Words
You are so not alone Grace! I love the freedom and I think pushing myself to see where my limit is makes me feel most alive. You have so got this! Enjoy!! I can’t wait to hear about it. xx
Lee recently posted..The hurt is inevitable. I’m going to do it anyway.
Well done Grace! I’d be happy to even run a half half marathon these days!
What makes me feel free? Writing. 🙂
EssentiallyJess recently posted..Autocorrect Fail #3 I give up.
Wow, you are amazing! All the best for Sunday xx
Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky recently posted..Gardening with Kids
Go Grace! What an great thing to do! Look forward to hearing about it 🙂 Kaz
Kaz @ Melting Moments recently posted..Fly on by Friday – Anything Goes Linky – Tea For Two
Go you good thing! Want it to be the run of your life! Enjoy the after as well as the during. For goodness sake, take care!! Oh, my recommended means of alone time these days? Coffee. Out. Xx
Oh wow! That is awezome! It is actually my goal to do it in my lifetime… When… I’ll get there. Enjoy and good luck xxx
Tahlia – the parenting files recently posted..weekend cooking: easy fresh green salad
Run like the wind gorgeous lady! And enjoy the freedom xx
I get you Grace. I used to run as a kid, I absolutely loved it. I still run but not the distances you are doing. It is freedoms and freshness that keeps me doing it as much as I can. Good luck tmr, just focus, and don’t put too much pressure on yrself. Xx
Kim @ Bachelormum Style recently posted..Crazy pregnant boho Earth mama
Going for your first half marathon is exceeding expectations. Your will is commendable and it inspires me a lot. I love nature too and made me realized I missed running so much since the last time I did it was two years ago.
Mandy recently posted..The Difference Between Physiotherapy And Massage Therapy
HEy Grace, I am a bit late this week…..how did you go today?
Sam Stone recently posted..The great vaccinate debate
Thanks for checking up on me, Sam! I am sore but proud of my time – 2 hours 17 minutes! Hope you had a great weekend!
I know I’m somewhat late but I just want to congratulate you on surviving your first half marathon. I, too, can relate so much about getting up early, running in the morning and breathing the fresh air though I have not truly joined a half-marathon yet.
Ada Hung recently posted..Benefits of Yoga Exercises for Men
I’m getting to this late so I already know you did awesome! Proud of you!! xoxo
Bridget recently posted..The “F” Word
Looks like you’ve got a lot of love…
Nami recently posted..Here She Is
Best of luck to you. Hoping for a positive outcome of the event. Make sure that you keep your mind and body ready before the race. Through this, you’ll be refrain from accidents and injuries while running.