Honestly

If you read my blog, then you already know I’m nothing if not honest with you guys (and gals).  Or at least I try to be.

Seriously, I value honesty.

Which is why I’m announcing today that I’m going to run the Denver Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon (again) this October.

And it’s also the reason I’m explaining why I was so hesitant to make such an announcement to you all.

I’ve noticed a lot of resistance towards “healthy living blogs” lately.  I’ve seen lots of posts that call out some of the behaviors that are mainstream in the “healthy living blog” community and questioning whether those behaviors are really all that healthy.  I’ve been loving on the attitudes of those bloggers who promote a more “moderate” lifestyle.  One that doesn’t involve running marathons or going vegan, which is why I felt very hypocritical when I made the decision to train for the half. 

Is this the part where you say, “Yeah, she is a hypocrite!” and click out of this page?  I hope not.

Allow me to explain.

No, I don’t think life is about extremes or pushing yourself beyond your own limits.

No, I don’t think you have to run long distances to be healthy or happy.  In fact, I don’t think you have to run at all.

No, I don’t think you have to be training for some big race to fit in in the blog world.  Or to stand out, for that matter.

That’s me…

This decision wasn’t about anyone but me.

I wanted to do it.  I thought long and hard about it before I decided to commit to training.  And I will only care about how I feel at the finish.

For me, running a half marathon is totally do-able.  I know my body is capable because, heck, I’ve already done it!  It’s not about burning calories or having awesome calves and a six pack (um, yeah I gave up on having a 6 pack long long long ago).  And it’s not about needing to feel accepted by the mainstream blogging community by doing something that I’m not really ready or up for.

It’s about the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with finishing a long training run.  And the even greater sense of victory after seeing all your hard work pay off during the actual race.  It’s about feeling invincible and seeing the amazing things I can do when I put my mind (yes, my mind — for me, running is more mental than physical) to it.  

And it’s partly about bonding with this guy.

That being said, I do want to share the experience with you and be able to be excited about training.  I don’t want anyone to be turned off by having to read “yet another long distance runner’s blog.” 

Please say you won’t be.

And in true Honest Abe Lauren fashion, I promise not to say things like “oh and then I ran 10 miles” and move on like that’s not some huge feat.  Because 10 miles is a huge feat (any distance is, if you ask me :)) and even though I know I can do it (and more!), I promise not to belittle anyone (including myself) by making it seem like long distance running is some easy ordinary thing.  In other words, I promise to address it like a real person and not a superhuman running machine.

And speaking of superhuman running machines, did I mention Joey is doing the full marathon? 

   I think he just wants an excuse to eat a burrito twice the size of his head again.

Psychooo.  Just kidding.  He’s totally capable and who am I to judge someone for the decisions they make in their own lives?

In conclusion, don’t dismiss me because I turned out to be another long distance-running blogger.  I’m still much much more than that.

Sincerely,

Lauren