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This is a guest post from Jen Newman from Jen in Real Life who will chronicle her journey as she trains for the Wild Half. If you would like to be a guest blogger for the Beachfront Blog, please email us at social.media@moreyspiers.com

I have wanted to be a runner since I was a teenager. I have never before wanted to put in the time and energy and effort to truly become a runner.  I am not a natural born runner. I have short, stubbly legs and I still carry baby weight ~ hard to call it baby weight when my baby is almost 12 but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I do not have hours to devote to working out and getting in shape and I don’t have a fancy gym membership.

But I have two perfectly fine legs that work.

And I have always wanted to be a runner.

For the last year I have played around with the idea of being a runner. I trained for and completed a half marathon last Fall. I still feel like I have to insert a but in here because while I finished a half marathon, I relied heavily on walking breaks and I do not think I trained to my full potential.

I want redemption. I want to train and complete 13.1 miles and know I gave it everything I have to give!

Winter in south Jersey was terrible. Winter in south Jersey was loaded with cold spells, snow, sleet and GERMS. Germs ran rampant in my house and classroom all winter long. Unfortunately, germs were the only thing running around here. I had hoped Spring would be better. So far, Spring has been very wet which has made recovering from the long Winter an even longer process.

It is early in the half marathon training cycle as most training programs are 12-14 weeks but I am out there training. This month my training is all about finding consistency and motivation. Running can be as simple as lacing up sneakers but it is hard and it hurts and one of the hardest things is making yourself go outside to inflict pain on your poor, unsuspecting legs. Running, for me, is a battle between my body and my mind. I am excited to finally be in the pre-training phase of half marathon training. And after a terrible winter and a slow-starting spring, I am finally training. I am out there running.

I am out there.

My current running goal is simple: Run 3-4 times every week.

I will begin an official and yet-to-be-determined training plan in early June. Stay tuned for details.

About Jen:
Jen is a 30something woman from Atlantic County. Jen is a mom, wife, teacher and wannabe runner.  Just an ordinary south jersey woman training for something extraordinary!!