Encouragement

I have been doing a lot of reading and researching on running long distance. I know, 13.1 miles isn't THAT long, but for me it's really a test of strength since before this, I've never been a runner.
Some of the things that I have looked up is strength training, learning to run correctly, how to push through a bad mile or one minute, and how to prepare your mind. 
Here are a few things that I have found that have helped me. I love Pinterest because it has been my place to put everything to prepare my mind, body, and heart for this race. Feel free to follow my "runDisney" board and find all the different things that I've found. 

This is one of the first things I found to encourage my running from Women's Health magazine: 6 Reasons to Start Running. 

Here are 13 reasons to run a half marathon from Active.com. I liked this article not only for this article, but the other links within it.  

Jeff Galloway is the official runDisney running coach and he has a lot out there about running better and running with better form.  One thing that really transformed how I looked at running is his run-walk-run method. 
When I was in school, and the gym teachers told us to go and run a mile, they never taught us how to run that mile. So I thought that I had to just set off running, and it was always the worst experience ever. I would get a stitch about 30 seconds into running, and I'd have to painfully hobble through the rest while the teachers berated us for not moving fast enough.
And then low and behold, I read up on Jeff's method of the run-walk-run and it changed everything for me. I actually enjoy running and it has become something that motivates me to go further.  Here are some tips for running from the runDisney site. One of the things that really stands out to me is by following this method and training schedule you are much less at risk for injury, and you have a higher ability of bouncing back after your runs. 

To me, it really comes down to finding what works for you. And then sticking to it.  
Another thing that has really helped me is finding support and encouragement from those around you.  For me, this is my husband who has chosen to take this on with me.  For some of my friends, it is finding a running group that has helped them push forward.  And for others, it may just be finding that running will help you push forward and give you the alone time that we all need. 
So lace up your shoes and hit the pavement or the treadmill and figure out what works. Running is a great exercise for your body, but almost more-so for your brain.