Marathon Training - Aborted

Unfortunately, with my hips being in the condition that they are in right now, and the lack of miles I have put in recently because of them, I have decided to forego the Philadelphia Marathon.   This is incredibly disappointing and heartbreaking for me, as it has been all that I could think about for the last 5 months.  I am confident that it is the right decision, as I am still in pain a week after a measly 3 mile run.  All I can do at this point is rest and try to get better so I can begin training for another.  I know that if I would have tried to go out and do it, I would be laid up for much longer.

Week 12 - Marathon Training

Update:   The hip injury seems to be slowly improving, and I have been getting back on the road.   I did a couple of 3 milers with pretty minimal pain, so that is incredibly encouraging.  I am planning on doing a 8ish miler tonight.  I know that I have missed one of the most crucial weeks of training, therefore my marathon won't be quite as fast as I had planned/wanted. My plan of just doing one marathon may have to change just so I can redeem myself after Philly.   Damn this competitive nature!!   In the meantime, the marathon is simply all I can think about when my mind wanders.   I am about to move my office and my home and run a marathon all within the next month.   It is all pretty overwhelming, but also incredibly exciting!  Times like these, I feel, are what define me as a person.   I always tend to stretch myself as thin as possible and seem to thrive on running on fumes (and caffeine).  Will update again soon.

Week 11 - Marathon Training

The thing I feared the most about marathon training has happened.   I have an injury.   I am not actually sure what it is, but I have taken 6 days off already and it is not getting any better.    It is in the hip flexor/groin area.    This whole situation is frightening me.   What if I can't run Philly?   What if I can't get in my 18 and 20 mile training runs?   Do I really want to do a marathon that I don't feel ready for?   There's a lot of things going on in my head...All I can do right now I suppose is hope for the best and just try to do whatever I can to heal this so I can get back to training.  My mood has been sour and I know it is because I haven't been running.    If anyone actually reads this, please keep me in your thoughts!

Week 7 - Marathon Training

I am now into the part of training where I am really ramping up mileage.   I am beginning to realize how much sacrifice and determination this endeavor really takes.  I've passed up many opportunities to do "fun" things because of runs I had to complete.    There are days where I literally drag my feet out the door.  It is totally worth it to me, though.   I don't feel bad about spending a night in because of a long run the next day.   Crossing that finish line in November will make it all worth it.   I am beginning to think about that moment every day.

There is a half marathon about an hour from here next weekend I am thinking about running, just to see where I am with training.  Hopefully my job will allow me to participate in it.  This past weekend I competed in an 8-mile race on the island in which i live.   I ended up finishing in 1:07...which is a 8:27/mi pace...the same pace as my last 5k...so I know I am improving my endurance.

Until next time...

Week 1 - Marathon Training

So, marathon training officially started this week.   I am feeling pretty confident at this point.   The only thing that may hinder my mileage is my work hours.   I figure as long as I can get in at least 3 runs a week and keep my long runs consistent with the training program, I should be golden.  I can now say..."I am training for a marathon."   That feels pretty damn good.  Physically, I haven't felt this good in a long time.   All the hip flexor and calf/shin issues I was having earlier in the year seem to be subsided for the most part.  My toenails are growing back from that wicked Lansing Half Marathon in April.   Feeling good!

Ready

I have done something that I never thought I would do.  Ever.  I signed up for a marathon.   That's right...a full 26.2 miles of running.   After completing 4 half marathons and many other races of varying distances, it just seemed like 'the next thing'.   No.   It's more than that.  It is an accomplishment in which very few people can find the courage and discipline within themselves to go for it.  The sport of distance running has provided me with countless benefits in my physical and mental wellbeing, and hopefully by sharing my experiences, I can help someone else find the unexpected joy that I have found.  

People ask me why I run.   Probably the best answer that I can think of is that it is a concrete way to see your hard work pay off.  You don't always get that from your job, or other aspects of your life, but with running, if you put the work in, you WILL benefit and keep improving.  I am addicted to improving. 

I am ready to be a part of the brave group that is "doing the full" instead of saying "just the half".   I am ready to cross that finish line knowing that for the rest of my life, I can say I have run a marathon.   I am ready to upgrade from 13.1 to 26.2.   I am ready to go for it!

The marathon I will be running is the Philadelphia Marathon and will be on November 18, 2012.  That gives me about 21 weeks to train.  I will hopefully be diligent about updating this opportunity to document a life-changing experience.