Marathon Training: Week One

Photo from my half marathon on March 17, 2012 ~ finish line is in sight!

And were off .... with marathon training that is.  I, myself, can't even believe I am actually doing this.  Let me catch you up.  When I was 25 years old, I ran my first 5k.  I had never been much for running and the thought of running 3 miles seemed nothing short of hard.  Heck, running "the mile" in elementary school was one of the worst days of my life, every school year.  Prepping for the 5k, I trained, stressed and asked myself several times "What have I gotten myself into?" Crossing that first finish line taught me two things: 1. I can run 3 miles and 2. Races are addicting.  It wasn't too long after my first race, I challenged myself to run a marathon before I turn 30.  Granted I would continue to run shorter distances, turning 30 seemed far away, and running "the big race" seemed like a nice accomplishment, and something I could tackle down the road.  It is no secret around here that I turn 30 next year.

Over the past 4 years, I have convinced my family (sister, dad AND mom!!) to run races and I have made great friends through the running connection.   Fortunately, I vocalized my not so little self challenge and my competitive little sister held me accountable.  She agreed to run a marathon with me, as long as we chose a race in Washington DC.  We signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon on October 28, 2012!!! She not only agreed to run her first marathon with me, she signed us up for a run club, and she convinced one of her girlfriends to run the race/run club with us! I managed to convince 3 girlfriends to also sign up for the race/run club (I really have no clue how I pulled that off, but no complaints here!), and now we have an awesome group of 6 girls training for "the big race". 

I proved I could run 3 miles, and now I will prove I can run 26.2 miles. 

This week marked the first week of our 5 month training program.  The program suggests a runner runs 10-20 miles each week consisting of group runs and a track workout plus a long slow run (LSR) every Saturday ranging from 6-22 miles.  One Saturday morning, I am going to wake up and run 22 miles, for practice.  That fact has not settled in quite yet. Moving on...

If I said I was excited for all of the hard work I have in front of me, I would be lying.  Since this is my first attempt at a marathon, all I can think about is how I will spend every Friday night in bed by 10pm, my consumption of "summer beers" will be minimal compared to summers past, and me and the foam roller will become close acquaintances. I know it will all be worth it.  Although I don't know details, I know this experience will teach me more than I can imagine.  I can't wait to see what it has in store! 

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Week 1 reflection: I had my first track workout tonight.  All day, I was dreading it.  In fact, it started to rain one hour before the workout was scheduled to start, and I thought for sure that would be my excuse not to run.  I am supposed to run a marathon but I don't want to run the first track workout? Reality check starts now. The rain stopped.  I dragged myself to the track.  We had a small group from our run club turn up.  Most of the group is training for their first marathon too! This slowly made me feel more comfortable in this setting.  My friends and I are not alone training for our first marathon.  Our coach gave us a really great introduction pep talk.  He is a seasoned marathoner.  He told us we should tell our family, friends, and significant other that we have made a 5 month commitment which will require much of our time, more than we know.  He told us he understands we want to run "the big race", but focusing on our shorter distances is what makes us a real runner. Bah, I'm a wannabe runner.  He's saying that could change? He has my attention. He taught us track etiquette, and helped us determine our pace.  Above all, he turned my frown upside down, and I was actually excited to get this show on the road.  As we started lapping the track, the group started talking, and I quickly realized that as long as I am running side by side people who share my same goal, are nice, fun people, these next 5 months won't be so bad.  And maybe, just maybe, my competitive side will come out a little bit on the track? The workout only lasted about 45 minutes, so definitely not hard, but I know this is just the beginning, and was a great first taste of the next several months.  Our LSR for Saturday is an 8 miler.  I haven't run 8 miles since I ran my half marathon in March, but mind over matter, right? One foot in front of the other.

Short term goal:  Create a weekly run schedule that works for me.

These posts will probably be boring for most, but I really want to do my best to document this journey! To anyone who has any advice or positive thoughts, I have open ears.

"If this were easy, everyone would be doing it."