No Guts, No Glory

"I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds, run the first part with your head, the middle with your personality, and the last part with your heart."

Everyday that I run, I run with my heart beating outside of my chest and my mind in the clouds; focusing on every beat my heart makes silently behind the music. Unbeknownst to me, I have learned after running for 10 years that it's all in your mind. Mental Stamina. Essential to every successful and motivated runner who runs not because he or she wants to see who is the fastest, but because he or she wants to see who has the most guts. Not everyone can run. Those who can, build up strength in their feet, courage in their lungs, determination in their heart, and heart in their minds.

George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian once said:

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."

Today was my first day training for a half-marathon. I have a great love for my 5k races, but I know I have it in me to be greater than that. I'm running against myself - against the best that's in me.

I wanted to share my 10-week half-marathon training schedule incase you (the reader) might be interested as well. Follow me on my journey - I will be posting here to let you know how the remaining 10-weeks follow. Not only am I confident, but I have LOTS of heart. It grows deep and strong inside my chest and pulsates with every breath I take as my feet hit the ground in audacity.

Runners unite.


10-Week Half Marathon Training Schedule

Week 1:
Mon - 3 mi, Tues- Rest, Wed- 3 mi, Thurs- 3 mi, Fri- Rest, Sat- 4 mi, Sun- Rest. Total = 13

Week 2:
Mon - 3 mi, Tues- Rest, Wed- 4 mi, Thurs- 3 mi, Fri- Rest, Sat- 5 mi, Sun- Rest. Total = 15

Week 3:
Mon - 3 mi, Tues- Rest, Wed- 4 mi, Thurs- 3 mi, Fri- Rest, Sat- 6 mi, Sun- Rest. Total = 16

Week 4:
Mon - 3 mi, Tues- Rest, Wed- 5 mi, Thurs- 3 mi, Fri- Rest, Sat- 8 mi, Sun- Rest. Total = 19

Week 5:
Mon - 3 mi, Tues- Rest, Wed- 5 mi, Thurs- 3 mi, Fri- Rest, Sat- 10 mi, Sun- Rest. Total = 21

Week 6:
Mon - 4 mi, Tues- Rest, Wed- 5 mi, Thurs- 4 mi, Fri- Rest, Sat- 11 mi, Sun- Rest. Total = 24

Week 7:
Mon - 4 mi, Tues- Rest, Wed- 6 mi, Thurs- 4 mi, Fri- Rest, Sat- 12 mi, Sun- Rest. Total = 26

Week 8:
Mon - 4 mi, Tues- Rest, Wed- 5 mi, Thurs- 4 mi, Fri- Rest, Sat- 9 mi, Sun- Rest. Total = 22

Week 9:
Mon - 3 mi, Tues- Rest, Wed- 4 mi, Thurs- 3 mi, Fri- Rest, Sat- 8 mi, Sun- Rest. Total = 18

Week 10:
Mon - 3 mi, Tues- Rest, Wed- 3 mi, Thurs- Walk 2, Fri- Rest, Sat- 13.1 mi, Sun- Rest. Total = 21.1


I plan on running the NYC Marathon next November 2011. Excited isn't even the feeling.