Not settling.

When I was a freshman in high school, I took guitar lessons. This was also around the era where I was convinced that I was going to be a rock star and lead a band of girl rebels and boy mavericks.

Well, that never came to pass, and I’m way to self-conscious to ham it up like that. But that’s not the point of this story. The point of this story was that I learned a few songs and just kinda settled for that. I remember my teacher said to me, “You know enough to figure out a few songs, and that’s good, but you’re going to have to keep practicing if you want to take it to the next level.”

But no, I really didn’t keep practicing. I was happy to play those songs and went on to do the other things in my life I liked more, like hanging out with my boyfriend and pimping out my high school blog.

(You’re crazy if you think you’re getting a link to that.)

So, I am at that point with running. I got good enough to run a half-marathon. 13.1 miles. And I even ran it at a pace that is pretty awesome. A symbol of 7 months of hard work.

The half-marathon was a milestone. And that’s how I have to think about it. Sometimes, its easier just to look at the next goal. Especially when the journey is so long. But after you make that goal … you have to look at the next thing. And remember why you started in the first place.

So. My next goal. The marathon, in October, of course … but there are a lot of weeks of training between then and now.

After Saturday’s race, I went onto the Maine Track Club’s race calendar and looked for my next half-marathon. And I found … there really won’t be another one that fits into my schedule before the marathon.

Here’s what my 2011 race calendar is shaping up to be:

All 5ks, except the duathalon and triathalon — but I think they will present interesting and rewarding challenges in and of themselves. Which reminds me — I need to get back in the pool this week!

Pattie Reaves

About Pattie Reaves

I'm a new mom and renegade fitness blogger at After the Couch. I live in Brewer with my husband, Tony, our daughter Felicity, and our two pugs, Georgia and Scoop.