Warning: this is long and self indulgent.
Context: I'm a short, unsporty and moderately fat 44yr old.
In a moment of madness six months ago I entered a half marathon (happening in march 2012). I thought if I had a ridiculous goal I would be motivated to get fit. I've been 'training' since October using the walk/run method designed by Jeff Galloway for unsporty and moderately fat 44 year olds. (The idea is that you use a combination of walking and running throughout training and in the race itself in order to avoid injury/improve times).
So far it's been going okay - I actually enjoy my runs though I am very very slow. I'm run/walking about 10 miles a week and apart from the odd crap run I've been feeling great. I've learnt to put up with the fact that I run at the speed of a slug and can pretty much laugh off the sideways looks I get from those that pass me when I'm out on 'a run' (eg old ladies on zimmers/people casually strolling with their dogs). Cut to today. I got up at an ungodly hour to catch the village bus into the nearest town (I was due to 'run' six miles and didn't fancy going so far down super-icy country lanes). Got into town and realised that all the paths were treacherously icy so got the bus back home again - was gutted as all geared up and had even had a nervous pre-run pee up a lane precariously close to the local high street. Back at home I decided to risk the country lanes and once the ice had melted set off at my blistering 14 min mile pace. Two miles in my shin and calf started hurting like you would not believe. I tried to run through it but ended up hobbling and had to turn around and walk 2 miles home in disgrace (and had to have another public pee up a country lane mercifully NOT close to any high street but in full view of a field of scathing sheep).
I'm on the settee now with a bag of frozen peas on my leg and feeling like an utter idiot. What in God's name made me think this running lark was a good idea? I've set myself a huge goal and even in the unlikely event that I do manage to complete the training I'm still going to be the only plonker who is running/walking and still coming in utterly last on the day. But I don't want to give up because the goal of the half marathon is the only thing that gets me into my trainers every day. Should I pack it in? Go for a more realistic goal? Just feel gutted cos I was feeling so good and now I feel like a total overweight, 44 year old twat.