Training

This week my friend and I will be at the halfway mark for training for a half-marathon. Our race day is Oct 2. We are currently at week 7 and will be doing a 10 mile power walk this Saturday. Our goal is power walking the race in 14 minutes a mile. That is walking so fast you cannot talk to each other. We are definitely not there yet. The humidity and heat have played a big factor. I completed a half-marathon two years ago in Baltimore. We did it in about 15 minutes a mile. I am finding though that this year's training has been so much rougher on my body. I don't know if its that its just because I'm two years older or that I'm pushing myself a little bit more during my exercise throughout the week (in between my distance walks). I have been dealing with shin splints and a numbing sensation in my back throughout these seven weeks. I have been working in some yoga classes between walks and that has really helped to keep me more limber and stretched. A new pair of sneakers should help with the shin splints too I'm hoping. Some may ask, "Why walk a half-marathon?" Knowing that I have to walk 13.2 miles in a race helps keep me accountable to push myself when exercising. I am not a real self-disciplined person but God is working this out in me. It is an every day challenge! Exercise has and will always be a big part of my life. It is a huge mood stabilizer for me. Plus I believe in taking care of your body so that you can take care of your family. I want my kids to see me make exercise a priority. So . . . . please keep me (and my ailing body!) in your prayers as I finish this goal!