From nervous to elated

Yay! It's less than one month until my training group starts for the St. Petersburg Women's Half Marathon, and I'm super-pumped.

Funny. Last year I was in a much different position. I was a bucket of nerves. Why? 

• I was nervous that I would be the worst runner in the group.
• I was nervous that I couldn't keep in the first weeks. I didn't even want to think about week 10.
• I was nervous that I didn't know enough about running.
• I was nervous that I'd get left in the dust.
• I was nervous that everyone would hate me because I'm slow.
• I was nervous that my previously severely sprained ankle would give out on me.
• I was nervous my coach would yell at me and run me into the ground. 

Guess what? All of that nervousness was for nothing. Being a part of that training group was one of the best things I could have done. Why?

• Everyone was extremely encouraging and supportive.
• I was a slower runner, but I was never left behind.
• The first few weeks were tough, but I made it through them.
• My ankle held up great – especially after my coach recommended a shoe for over-pronation: my love, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11.
• It didn't matter that I didn't know much about running; I learned. 
• My coach never yelled at me; he was encouraging and supportive. We talked about my "speed" sometimes, but it was always in a friendly, joking way.
• I accomplished things I never thought possible, and I think the majority of it had to do with the support and training of this fantastic group. 

My smile is thanks to my training group.

If you're thinking about joining a running group, do it. If you're nervous, it's OK. Just give it a shot. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Are you in a running group? Do you love it? Are you thinking about joining one?