one week in!

one week ago yesterday, i attended my TNT kickoff. this week i met my coaches, mentors and teammates; attended my first wednesday and saturday workouts; received my first two donations - $50 total - 2% there; and did 12 total miles of walking.

when you put it in words, it doesn't seem like much. 12 miles in a week sounds so measely compared to the 13.1 miles i'll be walking in october in just a few hours. it certainly doesn't sound like enough to make me feel the way i do. my shins have never been so consistently on fire, my back never quite so tight. 12 miles of walking in one week doesn't seem like it would make me feel so challenged, and make me realize how really out of shape i've let myself get (tear).

this was an awesome twelve miles, though! i learned proper walking technique. i saw parts of the Sacramento River that i've never seen before. i met new people. i ached. i second-guessed myself. i finished one week of training. YES! i am twelve miles closer to a half-marathon! it still doesn't feel real; it doesn't feel like something i'm really going to do, and when i begin to get overwhelmed i remind myself that i must focus on THIS day. THIS mile. THIS step. THIS breath. it is amazing. it is a privilege. the muscle pains and shin splints are nothing compared to how alive and vibrant i've felt this week. the self-doubt is overshadowed by pride. i've committed to myself and to other people - cancer patients and survivors - and i've kept my commitment. i am keeping my commitment and i know i can do it!

next week promises to be more physically challenging. and, given my shape, that means that it will inevitably be more mentally and emotionally challenging as well. and i can't wait! i can't wait for tuesday (tomorrow is a "day off"), so i can practice the new techniques sherri taught us, and add to the number of miles under my belt (okay on my shoes - no belt on the track)!

thank you so much for your support; specifically melissa, lisa, alli, candice, linda, kris, mom and johnny, all of whom have either a) listened to me drone on endlessly about this; b) said something really, really encouraging that helped me push; and/or c) supported me with a little cash donation, wink wink.

besos!

liz