- Why did you decide to do 52 half marathons in 52 weeks?
After I had to take all that time off of running (from being sick and in the hospital and everything), a half marathon seemed next to impossible. I built it up so much in my head until I just decided to get up and do one already. (It took me close to a year and half before I finally did another one.) Half marathoning was just as fun as I remembered it to be. It adds a lot to my life, so I decided to dive in head first. (I suppose that actually is how people usually dive, isn’t it?) If I can do one, I can do 52. And if I can do 52, it should never seem like an insurmountable challenge again.(Plus, I don’t love to talk about weight that much, because… well, I was going to say our culture focuses on it to an unhealthy degree (which I think is true). But honestly, it’s embarrassing! It’s embarrassing to admit I was fat (and still am not as thin as I’d like to be). That’s embarrassing and something I don’t love to shine a light on or talk about too terribly much. But, getting back to weight anyway – I did gain 50 pounds when I was unable to run. So, I really need to work on getting that off and this is the most fun way to do that.)
How long did you train before you took on this challenge?
Not long enough, probably. I didn’t start running again (again meaning since 2009) until November of 2010. And I started this 2 – 3 months later, in January of 2012. I didn’t think about this challenge ahead of time. I just decided to jump in. It’s working out fine so far…
- How often did you run during the week [during the time of the 52 half marathons challenge]?
I like to get a little speed work and a bit of slow incline training during the middle of the week when possible. Sometimes this happens. Sometimes this doesn’t. Running during the week is slowly but surely getting easier. I mainly try to spend the time during the week cycling, on the elliptical, doing weight training, and yoga. Sometimes I’m successful and a workout fiend. Sometimes I’m a couch potato. I’m working on it…
- What do you do for a living (that makes you able to afford the time and money to do this)?
I work in reality television. Most recently, I’ve been an assistant editor. I’ve also been a transcriber, production assistant, set photographer, and more. When I have a lot of free time, it usually means I’m on hiatus.
- That’s all well and good, but what do you want to do with your life?
Thanks for asking. Everything.
- But who are you, you know, like, outside of running?
I’m a mystery wrapped in an enigma. No, not really at all.I love going to the theater. (I can act out the entire musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. (I’d be happy to perform it for you anytime.))
I love playing games – board games, word games, playing along with game shows, any kind of games.
I’m a college dropout, yo! I don’t need no college. 🙂 (I went to Berklee College of Music for a little while. While there, I studied Music Production and Engineering.)
I like karaoke. I enjoy dancing. And I play a few musical instruments. (I actually play saxophone, and I play piano and guitar not that well at all. I can fake my way through songs on the clarinet and flute. Oh, and I can rock a few (very few) things on the violin.)
I root for the Indiana Pacers!
I watch The Daily Show and The Colbert Report religiously (and I went to their rally). I adore television. Scripted television, of course. I watch Parks and Rec, Always Sunny, Community, 30 Rock, The Office, Grey’s Anatomy, Cougar Town, Modern Family (Jesse Tyler Ferguson is one of the most talented human beings in the universe), and more.
Would you put up a page with your results and pictures of all your medals?
My results are oh so slow. (Aye, aye, aye.) In the whole year, I never even had a sub 3-hour race. You’re still free to see the results, of course! They’re listed all over the internet and I’m not shying away from my slowness. I own it, baby. It was where I was during that time.
But I’m not going to focus on my times here, ’cause what’s the point of putting that page on here? I certainly believe in times, and want to get faster now and work on being more fit – but for this specific project, it just wasn’t about that for me… (But I appreciate your asking :-)) You can see all my medals here.
- What are you going to do when this year is over?
Good question! I have a lot of dreams. As far as more athletic endeavors, I’d like to do some half marathon series that I really wanted to do this year, but missed out on (such as the Divas series and the 13.1 series). I’d also like to do at least a few bike rides/races. I’d love to do a triathlon at some point, so next year will hopefully be the year I start adding the bike seriously. I’m happy to take ideas!