{ Mind & Body } When the going gets tough, the tough keep running.

It is no secret that training for a half marathon is hard. There are the hours of dedication required to prepare your mind and body, not to mention the injuries that can just as easily destroy any little bit of momentum you have gained.

I now have stress fractures in both legs, but do I quit, no. After spending 5-6 days a week at the gym in preparation for this, that is the last thing I would consider with a mere 3 weeks to go. I just have to take better consideration of my body (after all, I am not 21 and invincible anymore), revise my training plan and alter my mindset.

By taking stock of my body I have successfully been able to continue training without further injury. Paying attention to what my body needs and when is crucial to a successful program and learning where my limits are.

By revising my training plan and adding in more strength training I have improved my running and to state the obvious, i am physically stronger. My body has been able to take on more and more challenges and I have been able to run farther, faster, with more consistency.

In revising my mindset and understanding that at this point, even with 3 months of training, countless miles and hours at the gym, I am very likely not going to be able to run the entirety of the 13.1 miles. It would in fact be very dangerous for me to force my body to do this, but by taking stock of my mind and body, i can keep working at it to safely cross that finish line.

It reminds me of why I signed up in the first place, to make myself do something that I truly do not enjoy, force myself into something I don’t understand and learn something new about myself.

Though I have yet to have the “I LOVE Running” epiphany that so many boast, I have found myself addicted to the journey. Also, in the last 5 months I have pushed my mind and body to the next level and in turn gained the ability to fit back into my “skinny” clothes, which hasn’t been miserable. Not to mention the hidden benefit of sleep. On my work out days, when my head hits the pillow at night, I actually fall asleep and it is good sleep, no more hours of tossing and turning or trying desperately to turn my brain off. I mean really, who doesn’t want to be well rested and skinnier?

I have to say I am impressed with what I have learned, I have sought knowledge and information that I never thought would interest me and I have actually taken stock of how this information could make me a better healthier and more fit person.

What have you done to challenge yourself? Let me know by posting in the comment section.