• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tech Savvy Mama

Parenting in the Digital Age

  • About
    • Affiliations & Honors
    • Contributors
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
  • Technology
    • YouTube
    • Social Media
  • Lifestyle
    • Parenting
    • Travel
    • Safety
  • Education
  • Causes
  • Gift Guides
  • CONTACT
    • Work with Me

The Tough Road to 13.1: Why I Pushed Myself to Run My First Half Marathon

October 20, 2017 By Leticia

This post is sponsored by Corning® Gorilla® Glass 

On Sunday mornings my alarm would go off before the rest of the family stirred. I’d tip toe around the house to get dressed, chug a glass of water, and lace up my shoes before heading out the door. A quick glance at my watch told me my distance and duration goals for the day’s long training run that would ensure. I’d be ready for to tackle my first half marathon.

I’ve never considered myself a runner. I spent a couple of years on the high school track team, specializing in sprinting halfway around the track for the 200 meter event where my goal was always to finish somewhere in the middle. More recently, my running companion has been our Yellow Labrador who stops to sniff so suddenly that our couple of miles are anything but fluid and consistent.

So why in the world would I ever commit to running 13.1 miles? Pledging to run my first half marathon and training to be ready in time for race day was a tough goal but one I personally needed.

As a mom and entrepreneur, I spend a majority of my time taking care of my family and work-related tasks and while satisfying, something was missing. I needed something for me. A goal that was my own, one I was personally in charge of from start to finish. I may not be a gym owner, entrepreneur, or ninja like Michelle Warnky but I felt the necessity to push myself in a way that was different and unlike anything I had done before.

Training started gradually. I gave myself months to train and told myself to get out there and put one foot in front of the other. Each morning I looked at my watch for my training plan. Each day my daily goal increased. Run longer. Run farther. Run just a bit faster.

Two miles became three then five. Five miles turned into seven and eight. 10 was close but 13.1 seemed far.

“Just get to 10 miles,” advised a friend and experienced distance runner. “If you can do 10, you can do 13 no problem.”

The day I hit ten miles I was ecstatic! I was about a month away from my race and the November weather was crisp, cool, and perfect for my morning runs. I messaged my friend and she was thrilled for me. Then she told me I should try for 11.

I groaned at the thought of 11 miles because it was a new goal. The days until my race were dwindling although I knew I needed to go for it. After all, if I could get to 11, I was closer to the 13.1 miles I’d need on race day.

Two days before my first half marathon, I jumped on a plane to Memphis, the host city for my race. I was full of adrenaline and nervous energy as I picked up my race packet and made my way through the expo. The night before I loaded up on lean chicken and pasta to fuel me for my race. In my hotel room I laid out my race gear, pinning my bib to my shirt, and went to bed early though my active mind kept me from sleeping.

I started to doubt myself and the months of training I had spent preparing for the next day. Was what I was wearing going to work for the cool and rainy forecast? Would my plantar fasciitis flare up on the course like it did a couple months before? Where was I going to see my family? We hadn’t talked about the course and where they would be so I could look for them. Seeds of doubt started to grow, taking over the mental toughness I developed during the previous months.

The next morning, I was surprisingly calm as I ate some breakfast, dropped off my gear at the bag drop, and made my way to my starting corral. As I waited on that cold December day for the race start, I told myself that I was prepared. I was ready. I’d do my best. My goal was to cross the finish line in one piece.

When the race started and it was time for my corral to go, I knew I had prepared well. The seeds of doubt were gone. Like Michelle Warnky, the mental toughness I built would get me through the 13.1 miles ahead. I also knew I’d do my absolute best.

I found my stride among the other runners and embraced the crowd’s energy as I put one foot in front of the other. I faced some tough race moments along the course but the best moment of the race was seeing my family cheering for me near the chute with the finish line in the background. In that moment I knew I pushed myself to meet my goals. I had done my best to run a distance I never imagined I’d run.

I thought that my first half marathon would be a bucket list item that I’d cross off my list and be done with until I signed up to run another in April 2018. If I did one, surely I can do another, especially now that I know I am mentally tough and can push myself to train for a second. A full marathon of 26.2 miles is out of the question. At least for now.

Get inspired to push your limit by watching Michelle Warnky and other tough individuals whose work is featured on the Corning® Gorilla® Glass Incredibly Tough series.

To learn more about Corning® Gorilla® Glass:

  • Visit incrediblytough.com and the Corning® Gorilla® Glass website
  • Watch more incredibly tough individuals doing incredibly tough things in their everyday lives on the Corning® Gorilla® Glass Incredibly Tough YouTube playlist
  • Follow Corning® Gorilla® Glass on Twitter
  • Like Corning® Gorilla® Glass on Facebook
  • Like Corning® Gorilla® Glass on Instagram
  • Read my past posts about Corning® Gorilla® Glass

This post is sponsored as part of my work with Corning Incorporated, all opinions are my own.

Related

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: #IncrediblyTough, Corning, Corning Gorilla Glass, half marathon, half marathon training, Incredibly Tough Series, Michelle Warnky, ninja warrior, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, St. Jude Heroes, St. Jude Memphis Marathon

Previous Post: « Star Banks Adventure Teaches Tweens & Teens Personal Finance
Next Post: Can Tech Make You Better Cook? Hestan Cue Smart Cooking System Review »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Clarissa says

    October 20, 2017 at 8:52 am

    I am so proud of you for pushing yourself to do that and even signed up to run another half in April of 2018. You are definitely inspiring.

    • Leticia says

      October 20, 2017 at 9:01 am

      Aww thanks for saying that especially when sometimes I wonder why I signed up for another half though it does feel great to set a goal and work towards it for months and finally cross the finish line! Let me know if you ever want to join me! Happy to be your cheerleader and run with you because I never set speed goals. My goal is just to finish and get that medal! 🙂

  2. Julie Ventura Plagens says

    November 6, 2017 at 7:30 am

    Great story. Almost made me want to run. Almost.

Primary Sidebar

about sidebar pic_profile pic

Hi! I'm Leticia, founder of Tech Savvy Mama! I'm an award-winning blogger, Washington, DC area mom of teens, middle school computer science teacher, and education consultant.  Read more...

TechSavvyMama logo board_sidebar divider

AFFILIATIONS & HONORS

_YouTube Parent Panel

_top50momblogger

TechSavvyMama logo board_sidebar divider

Subscribe

Never Miss a Post!
Name: 
Your email address:*
Consent*
Yes, I consent to being emailed
No, I do not want to be emailed
Please wait...
Please enter all required fields Click to hide
Correct invalid entries Click to hide
No spam, ever. Promise!

Tech Savvy Mama on YouTube

<<< View More >>>

TechSavvyMama logo board_sidebar divider

INSTAGRAMMIN’

techsavvymama

DC area blogger & middle school computer science teacher focused on edu, family tech & teens. ❤s= 🚀 #STEM 🏃 #StJudeHeroes #legacyteamnuun 🏝 #Haiti

Leticia Barr
Put on my running shoes And I boarded the plane To Put on my running shoes
And I boarded the plane
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of the pouring rain 🎶  It is SO good to be back in Memphis! ❤️ Every year I think this might be my last race but the minute I get off the plane and start walking through the airport, I remember my why. My why becomes more apparent as I drive into downtown and past the @stjude campus where children and their families stay during their treatment for life threatening childhood illnesses which is free thanks to donors like you who ensure they never have to pay for treatment, housing, food, or travel. ✈️ At St. Jude kids get the best care, care that I could only hope for if my kids were to ever get sick. And that is my why. 🩺 On the St. Jude campus there are moms just like me who face the unimaginable every single day. I run for them so they can focus on helping their child live. ❤️‍🩹 I know if I was a mom of a patient, there would be an army of Heroes who would fundraise, train, and run for me and my sick child. I also run to give them hope which is something so many families have thanks to donors like you. St. Jude leads the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. When this is your why, it’s hard to stop which is why I just keep going. ❤️#stjudeheroes #runforstjude #memphis #whyirun #nuunambassador
It’s almost St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend! ❤️ This will be my 6th half marathon & 9th race benefiting @stjude kids and families. 🏃🏻‍♀️As a race veteran, you’d think my goal would be to improve my time but honestly, my goals are to raise money as much money as possible and to run for those who can’t. If you haven’t already donated but would like to, see the St. Jude link in my bio to make a tax deductible donation of any amount. 🙏🏻 I’m so so close to $5,000 and with your help, I know I’ll get there! Thanks in advance for any amount you can give and get ready for lots of race related posts and stories over the next few days! Sorry not sorry! 🏃‍♀️❤️🏃‍♀️
#stjudeheroes #stjudemarathon #runforstjude #stjudememphismarathon #stjuderun #stjude
How do you teach computer science concepts like th How do you teach computer science concepts like the cloud? 💻Through hands-on, interactive learning experiences like the ones offered for free at @AmazonWebServices Skills Center in Arlington, Virginia. 🏢 AWS Skills Centers provides free, fun ways to learn more about the cloud and job opportunities. Visit the link in my bio for more information and to plan your visit to the Skills Center! 🚘AD #computerscience #cloudcomputing #STEM #amazonwebservices #awsskillscenter
Thankful for a week filled with family, food, outd Thankful for a week filled with family, food, outdoor fun & being photobombed by my favorite girl. 💕 #thanksgiving #family #optoutside
Find a friend who will join you at OrangeTheory in Find a friend who will join you at OrangeTheory in the morning, celebrate the workout with lunch, and take ridiculous selfies with you and @theholdernessfamily after more bubbles and bites. Thank you @lisatasch for being that friend! I adore you! 🧡💪🏼🥂And huge thanks to @westfieldmontgomery for inviting use to meet Kim and Penn! They’re just as wonderful as you’d imagine them to be! 🎄#friends #holidays #westfieldmontgomery #moco #mocomd
Every day when their boy leaves for school, these Every day when their boy leaves for school, these two follow me upstairs and jump on his bed. 🛏️ One watches the driveway from the window and the other stares out the door, ready to alert the other if he comes returns. It’s the sweetest thing! 🐾 I reassure them he’ll be back later but I’m not quite sure what this pair is going to do next year when he heads off to college. I guess we’ll pass the days until the kiddos come home with long dog walks and console ourselves with treats. 💔  #chocolatelab #yellowlab #labrador #puppylove #rescuedog #labrescue #momlife
I’ve visited historic Old Town Alexandria many t I’ve visited historic Old Town Alexandria many times but today I got to know a different side of the city by hearing little-known stories of Africans and African-Americans, both enslaved and freemen, and visiting historic sites. ⛪️ According to @j_chapman99 (founder of @manumissiontour, 4th generation Alexandrian, and Alexandria City Council Member!!) Alexandria, Virginia was one of early America’s main centers for the international and domestic slave trade. As we drove through different historic neighborhoods, the contributions by Black Americans were apparent throughout. 🏡 It was a powerful day and an excellent reminder that Black history IS Virginia history which makes it a huge part of American history! 🇺🇸 If you’re in the DC area or happen to be planning a visit to Alexandria, I highly recommend booking a tour with Manumission Tour Company to educate yourself about important historical events and individuals whose contributions to local history are just as significant as those usually mentioned in history books. 📚Huge thanks to John for making me aware of a very important part of Old Town Alexandria’s history and also to @toyotausa for inviting me to join be a part of their Steeped in History initiative. 🚘 #ToyotaPartner #ToyotaSteepedinHistory #alexandriava #blackhistory
Happy Halloween! 🎃 Before your kids head out fo Happy Halloween! 🎃 Before your kids head out for an evening of trick or treating or hanging out with friends, take 20 minutes to have important conversations about how to handle peer pressure, safety, and healthy choices. Over the weekend I spoke with @livenowfox about how you can help your kids handle peer pressure and say “NO” to potentially dangerous behaviors like underage drinking if offered a sip of alcohol. If you're not sure how to start the conversation, here's a link to the segment I did about @ask_listen_learn as part of my role as an Education Advisory Board member for @go_faar. 👻 https://www.livenowfox.com/video/1304222 #halloween #parenting #responsibility #preventunderagedrinking #take20withkids
The things I do for a shirt! 🧡 To be honest, I The things I do for a shirt! 🧡 To be honest, I love a good challenge and Hell Week is one of my favorite OrangeTheory Fitness challenges! 💀 I *might* have been a little obsessive about pre-booking my classes and gotten a little irritated when my husband thought he’d have to travel for work which would have messed with my schedule. 😂 I *may* have cancelled and booked 3 different classes on one day when this week’s work schedule got crazy. 😳 I *definitely* did not take day 2 off and rest like I had planned when a friend texted, asking if I wanted to go to class. 🤪 But it was worth it! I got my 4 Hell Week classes done in the first 4 days and earned my 6th Hell Week shirt! 🧡 And yes! I’ll be there tomorrow for day 5. Maybe I’ll take a rest day Sunday!💀 Shoutout to the all the OTFSS coaches who kept the motivation high these first 4 days when the going got tough. I appreciate you more than you know! 🧡💪🏼🧡#orangetheory #otf #hellweek #stjudeheroes #teamnuun
Sundays are for baking with my best dog helpers! S Sundays are for baking with my best dog helpers! Swipe to see what Goldie and Murphy helped me make.
Spoiler: 🎃🥧
#labrador #yellowlab #chocolatelab #baking #pie
I grew potatoes! 🥔🥔🥔 This spring I found I grew potatoes! 🥔🥔🥔 This spring I found a bag of 9 potatoes from our @spiralpathfarm CSA I had forgotten about. Since they were sprouting, I threw them in a raised bed, covered them with dirt, and kind of forgot about them (again!) until I was cleaning out the garden this weekend. 🌱I saw 3 potatoes sticking up out of the dirt and was amazed at how many potatoes came from the original 9! 😍If you’ve ever wanted to try growing your own produce, potatoes are a great place to start! They take minimal effort and yield incredible results. Plus digging them up is like a treasure hunt! 🥔❤️🥔 #potatoes #backyardgarden #igrewthis #gardening #yum
What do you like to read? 📚My preference depend What do you like to read? 📚My preference depends on my mood but cookbooks are always a favorite and I am beyond thrilled to add the World Central Cookbook to my collection! 💕 I got my signed copy last night before hearing @chefjoseandres speak with @mehdirhasan at Sixth & I and instantly fell in love! This cookbook is full of incredible recipes from around the world that I can’t wait to make for my family. It is also full of stories I’d the amazing people and communities who have benefitted from the incredible work @wckitchen does to provide fresh meals in humanitarian, climate, and community crises around the world. 🌎 I’ve always admired Chef Andres for being so quick to go to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake to provide what people really needed- food. The work he did in Haiti was the beginning of @wckitchen and a professional culinary school in Port au Prince. 🇭🇹During my many trips to Haiti, I fell in love with the people, culture, and food. I always hoped I would run into Chef Andres there but couldn’t be happier that his book includes recipes for dishes I love like griote, soup joumou, black beans, pikliz & more! 💕 Thank you, Chef, for your dedication to helping others by providing a very basic need to those when it is needed most. 🍛 Swipe to hear Chef Andres’ rapid fire answers to Mehdi’s questions, including which restaurant of his he likes better- @jaleobyjose or @zaytinya ! 😂 #joseandres #worldcentralkitchen #humanitarian #hero #washingtondc #cookbook #whatimreading
Load More... Follow on Instagram

TechSavvyMama logo board_sidebar divider

SAVVY FINDS

Footer

Tech Savvy Businesswoman

Check me out across my social media channels for examples of how I can help amplify your company's brand, product, or cause!

_YouTube Parent Panel

Everywhere


techsavvymamasquarelogo_techsavvymama square logo

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy

Looking for Something?

Search by category…

or by date

DISCLOSURE POLICY

Copyright © 2023 Tech Savvy Mama · Designed by Hustle & Sway · Log in

 

Loading Comments...