1/2(Marathon)

I'm training to run a half marathon with Mom and her sister, Kari, on September 15 - my first half marathon, or any other prior-training-required experience, ever!  A few weeks into the training plan, and already I have so much great takeaway from the whole ordeal.  I expected to have an extra boost of motivation behind my workouts and their regularity, but I had now idea how much of an extra boost.  It is glorious! Seeing yourself progress along a schedule that maybe seemed a liiiiitle lofty to begin with makes you feel pretty dang good about life.  For example, "There's no way I'll be running 8 miles straight two weeks from now." Two weeks later?  You're kicking 8 miles' butt.  Awesome.

I haven't run the race yet, but I'm already looking ahead to the next one.   I've learned to love the structure and resulting progress of training this way, it really makes all the difference!  Even if you don't have a half marathon on the imminent horizon, you can still make your workouts more fun and rewarding by giving yourself a plan and a personal end goal.

Here's what I know:

• You need an actual training plan that includes cross-training, stretching, rest days, and gradual mileage.  Luckily, there are so many resources online for ready-made plans and piecing your own plan together!  Start here.  Your body will slowly reject you and all aspirations to move like a normal human if you set big goals and don't have a balanced plan.   
• It shouldn't take a big physical event to put this into practice, but: eat right!  Here's some inspiration.
• This kind of water-bottle holster thing is a must for long distance.  It's kind of like a jet-pack... full of... water... so not quite as awesome.  But! An hour into a run, with plenty more road stretched ahead of you, it will seem jet-pack awesome. 

Don't get me wrong, some days I am super sore and achey! It is hard work, but the benefits are well worth the cost!  Have I rambled enough to convince you yet?

Input or advice is super welcome!