Hysterectomy to Half Marathon

Yes you read that right.  And yes, I have lost my mind.

Well maybe not.  But I have questioned that notion lately, ever since I decided my next big goal in life is going to be to run a half marathon. :)

Here are the facts:

1. I started "running" in 2009, when I started training for my first 5K, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k.
2. I have no idea what sparked my interest in running!
3. I trained for 3 months for that 5k, and finished, although in a miserable time of 45 minutes. :)  wow.
4. I ran off and on (more "off" than "on") after that time.  I did not run another race until 2011.  My time was better.
5. I ran another 5K in November 2012 after completing the C25K (Couch to 5K) program.  My best time at that point.  I was SO proud of myself.
6. I joined the Rock Steady Running Club in Princeton in January 2013.  For the first time, I felt challenged to do better.  To push myself beyond my self-imposed limits.  And I was officially addicted to running.
7. I ran several 5Ks after January 2013, and one 10K.  The 10K was 1 week before a total hysterectomy for Stage IV (end-stage/"metastatic") endometriosis, bilateral endometriomas (one as large as a softball), Asherman's syndrome, and multiple intrapelvic adhesions.

This is me & my handsome hubby after finishing the 10K... he smoked me! ;)

So now that you are caught up....

You can see that I'm a quitter.  No really.  I do have a history of quitting when the going gets tough (or when I just get lazy).  Which is why I ALWAYS have a race (usually a 5K) on my calendar to keep me motivated, which has worked to keep me running since January of this year!

Whatever your motivation is, use it to your advantage!

So you may also see that I like a challenge.  That 10K was no joke.  But I wanted to push myself even further.  So I lost my mind decided to sign up for a half marathon!!!

I have 19 weeks.  Doomsday Race day is November 10th (The Outer Banks Marathon).

To keep me motivated, and to inspire others who may have been (or may currently be) completely out of shape and unable to run more than a quarter-mile like myself in the beginning, I want to document it in a sort-of series on my blog, called Hysterectomy to Half.

I don't want pity for the hysterectomy (because I feel fine, and it's just a springboard for where God wants to take me!).  I want to show other women that major surgery or life obstacles don't have to slow us down or make us inactive.  Take life by the horns!  I practically begged my surgeon to let me start running at 3 weeks, and although I got the okay, my protective, loving husband made me wait until 4 weeks postop.  I am SO not where I was before surgery!

Will you journey with me over the next few months as I throw myself into brutal training??  Will you pray that I won't have an injury that may sideline my training?  I will be brutally honest about my training - the good, the bad, the ugly.

I do have a draft of a personalized training plan... but it's in the hands of one of my closest friends who just happens to be a marathoner (Boston marathon finisher, baby!!!).  She is critiquing it for me & giving me pointers.  I will share it when it's "done".

Can't wait to hear the suggestions, encouragement, and even the naysaying!  Bring it!  It just makes me want to push harder and farther than this little 5'1" body can go :)