Halfway There!

This week marks the halfway point in my training for the Columbus half marathon. While I still have a long way to go, I've been lucky enough to find support and motivation in my cousin/running partner.

Just a few short weeks ago, I shared the marathon's Facebook photo saying that it was the last chance to save on signing up for the marathon/half marathon and asked my Facebook friends, "Who's running the half with me?" The only one up for the challenge was my younger cousin who had been weighing the idea of trying to run her first half marathon. It took a few days of convincing, but she decided to sign up and that following week we started our 12-week training program. Now we are nearly 6 weeks in and are up to six miles, averaging under a 10 minute-per-mile pace.

Having a training partner has been crucial for both of us during this process. Even when we haven't been able to run together, we are always texting each other to make sure that we hold each other accountable for our workouts. On days when the last thing we feel like doing after work is going for a run in 80 degree weather, we know the other one will be there to give each other the push we need. The best part, though, has been getting to spend quality time together and catching up on our lives. I'm looking forward to the next six weeks of training with her and can't wait to cross that finish line on October 19 with my cousin by my side!

Don't forget that there's still plenty of time to donate to Nationwide Children's Hospital and help me reach my Children's Champion fundraising goal, which just happens to be almost halfway there, too!

To donate to my fundraising page please visit: http://nationwidechildrens.kintera.org/childrenschampions2014/shaystein

For more information on Children's Champions please visit: http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/childrens-champions

For more information on the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon please visit: http://www.columbusmarathon.com