Editor’s note: Post journalist Ashley Mahoney is training for her first marathon on November 14 as part of The Charlotte Post Foundation’s Black Lives Matter Charlotte initiative. In the weeks leading up to race day, we’ll chronicle her training.

To register for the Novant Health Thunder Road marathon, half-marathon or 5K with The Charlotte Post Foundation, log on to www.runsignup.com/charlottepostfoundationtrm15.

September 29
Distance: 3.01 miles. Time: 28 minutes, 41 seconds. Pace: 9 minutes 32 seconds. Blue shoes: 95.32 miles. Pink shoes: 31.06 miles.

I bought a teal travel size foam roller. It’ll fit nicely in my luggage when I return to Europe.

“If only this rain would stop.”

“If only you would stop.”

Points to you who got the “Sense and Sensibility” reference. For the rest of you—go watch it.

Another rainy run, obviously. This weather has put a wet blanket atmosphere over the city. It needs to stop. At least it’s National Coffee Day. Pass the coffee.

September 30
Pre-run: No desire to get out of bed this morning. Six-mile run at point today.

Tired. Blah. The sun finally comes back out, and I want to hibernate. Willpower over laziness. How much do I really want this? That’s not a question, it’s a statement. In the words of my awesome padre: “It’s time to put up or shut up.”

Distance: 6.01 miles. Time: 59:34. Pace: 9:54.

Blue shoes: 101.33 miles. Pink shoes: 31.06 miles.

Sunny! Beautiful! Yay!

Love that little teal foam roller! Fewer knots. Less tightness in the IT Band.

So sleepy. Need – cough – want –cough – a massage.

Zzzzz.

October 1
Distance: 3.01 miles. Time: 27:17. Pace: 9:04.

Blue shoes: 101.33 miles. Pink shoes: 34.07 miles.

So much rain.

It’s supposed to pour on Sunday, aka half marathon day. Darn hurricane. Maybe I can move it to Saturday or run with a rain coat. Darn hurricane.

Autumn salad at Mario’s. YUM!

October 2
Rest day.

October 3
Rest day.

October 4
Half-marathon day –13.1 miles. Manchester United plays Arsenal this morning. Panthers play in Tampa this afternoon. I have to run at some point.

Motivation to run in this wind: nonexistent. It’s so windy…and I could complain about thousands of other things—all of which boils down to me shutting up and getting my butt out there and running (definitely a mental sport). Holy crap…this…GAH!

Maybe if I have an umbrella the wind will pick up and blow me to London, no? Stretching the Disney reference a bit?

Opting for the Barbie pink shoes. I’m going to wear them on race day. Holy crap, this is only half of what I have to run next month. I still have no clue what I’m doing. “I’m making it up as I go” (so many Disney references).

I did it. Thankfully, it did not rain. Just a little mist.

I’ve seen countless pins on Pinterest the quote “be a hill seeker.” Well today, I did just that. I don’t know how to function unless I feel like I am fighting with or against something or someone. I think too much and simple does not fall in my lexicon.

One of my mentors challenged me to do something completely out of character, and the most out of character action for me, ironically, comes from doing nothing. Surrender. Stop passive aggressively trying to control everything. I asked for change when I started this—demanded it, in fact.

Slowly, I can see the physical change. Mentally and physically, I feel stronger. I still see parts of myself that I don’t like—the standoffish, passive aggressive, overly competitive bits.

One of my best friends likes to remind me how stubborn I am (constantly) and begs me to use that to my advantage in all aspects of my life—I don’t always listen to that advice. It’s rare that I follow it. I’m like the little kid in the kitchen that decided to touch the stove even though someone warned them not to, and I burn myself time and time again.

However, the best advice B ever gave me has hopefully become more apparent in my life: “You’re supposed to be kind and supportive to those you care about.”  
I’m not a saint—far from it. I’m a sinner through and through. I say the wrong things and sometimes I fail to make the right choices. Some call that humanity. Others would call all of these columns overly dramatic—then again, I’ve always had dramatic tendencies.

Just ask my sister. She’s been putting up with it for 23 years.

I’m not after perfection—such a pursuit would prove pointless, but I want more from myself…starting with a massage, an ice bath, and a really good night’s sleep.
Distance: 13.12. Time: 2 hours 4 minutes, 26 seconds. Pace: 9:29.

Blue shoes: 101.33 miles. Pink shoes: 47.19 miles.

October 5
Rest day.

Eight weeks in. Stretch more.

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