New Runner Diaries. Training for the Knysna Oyster Festival 1/2 Marathon.

Today is the first day of my training for the Momentum Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon. Entries and registration opens to the public tomorrow. 

Today is when I realized just how unprepared I am in every way. I need so many things and time and gear and gadgets. Grays went to get me a strap for my phone this weekend - so I can follow my progress with Run Keeper. My phone is so heavy - I fear growing an incredibly large right bicep over time. And where do you strap it? Your wrist? Your upper arm? Ankle? It feels like my phone's gonna fall out? I need to get one of those smaller gadgets that tracks your distance - with a little clock. Apparently some are more accurate than others? Listen every step I take is important at this point.

It feels like I need to sit on a park bench somewhere with a notebook and take notes on what the other, more profesh runners are doing. Do I need one of those peak caps that you get in neon colors? Am I tying my shoe laces the wrong way and everyone notices? Do I just look ridiculously stupid all the time? Do I run funny? Do they laugh at my heavy breathing as I pass them? IT'S ALL SO STRESSFUL.

More than anything I'm excited to transform my body in to something strong, fit and healthy (and skinnier amIright) over the next four months. I need to cut down on wine (hahahahahahaha) no but I really need to. And... I don't really know what else I need to do. What am I supposed to be doing here?

Also am I supposed to run with music? What if a dog barks and is about to run me over and eat me alive and I don't hear it coming? Or if a car is swerving to miss a pothole or a small child and has no other option but to mount the pavement, ramp mid-air and land on my actual body? What if that guy is hooting and shouting at me to NOT die but I can't hear him? Do you even understand how many important life decisions I need to make right now? I don't think I'd be able to run to music.

So today is not going well, but I DID go for a little run. It was pretty cold this morning too! It's hard giving up the morning cuddle with the boys. And the morning cellphone scroll through social media and news. And tea in bed. I did feel amazing after my run, although my lungs struggled with the cold air. Did I mention that the half marathon is mid winter? I'm starting my training early, so I'll get to adjust to the climate as I go along.

So Graeme goes to boxing about 4 times a week and I'm running and skipping 4 times a week. Between us we're going to be super fit and healthy and basically like Will Smith and Charlize Theron in Hancock, basically. I'm excited.