I have been trying to make myself a runner for years. I had all but given up hope until about 6 months ago when it really kicked in. I was able to do it and not stop. I set goals for myself and reached them. I really started to like running because it allowed me to clear my head about whatever was on my mind. I enjoy doing it first thing in the morning so that I can set my day.
At first, it was all I could do to not think about running while I was doing it – that made it all the more difficult. But eventually, as I was able to learn from my breathing and heart rate whether I should slow down or if I could step it up, it became more fun. I started driving the routes that I took to see how far I had run & was amazed at the distances. Although it was only 6 miles, that was a lot farther than I had ever run before without stopping to walk several times.
I figured that since I was running 6 miles regularly that I could probably set my sites on the 3M half marathon. And so in the late fall, I decided that I would run my first half marathon.
Last weekend we were over at a friends house when she mentioned that she was going to be participating in the half marathon. I asked her when it was. "Three weeks." was her response.
"Yikes!" Could I do it?
"of course" she reassured me.
So I signed up.
I think this may be the same thoughts I was having when I decided to compete in a body building competition. What was I thinking? Yes, I could back out, but now I've told too many people that I am going to do it. Now I have to do it, and I AM going to do it – otherwise I have to wait another year. Soon enough the weather will be hot enough out that I won't want to run outside & God knows that I won't want to do a half marathon during the late spring, summer or early fall in Austin!
I've never run in a timed race before, so this will be my first. I'm sure that I'll talk myself through the entire 2 hours, or however long it will take me to complete it. I know at this point that it is all a mental game & that's what I need to conquer. I've mapped out my route for this weekend & next weekend, and I will be up bright & early on the morning of January 28th to run in the 3M Half Marathon.
God help me if I keep making fitness goals this way.
Elizabeth is a Master Certified Life and Health Coach with over 18 years of experience, dedicated to helping women in midlife thrive through holistic health and wellness. Her personal journey began with a desire to reduce her own breast cancer risk, which evolved into a mission to guide women through the complexities of midlife health, from hormonal changes to mental clarity and emotional resilience.
Elizabeth holds certifications from prestigious institutions such as The Life Coach School, Precision Nutrition, and the American Council on Exercise, as well as specialized training in Feminist Coaching and Women’s Hormonal Health. Her approach is deeply empathetic, blending her extensive knowledge with real-life experience to empower women in their 50s and 60s to build sustainable health habits that last a lifetime.
Recognized as a top voice in women’s health, Elizabeth speaks regularly on stages, podcasts, and webinars, inspiring women to embrace midlife with energy, confidence, and joy. Her passion is helping women regain control of their health, so they can fully engage in the things that matter most to them—whether that’s pursuing new passions, maintaining strong relationships, or simply feeling great in their own skin.