I decided I wanted to create a running blog as I train for the 2009 Little Rock Marathon so I can document my progress, pitfalls, and adventures for the next few months. I know that thousands of people have run marathons, and many of them more than one. I used to think how awesome it was that they could do it, but never imagined I would be attempting it myself. I ran in college, more as an exercise-obsessed person, having lost a significant amount of weight and wanting to keep it off. In a way, it was more of a self-punishment type of thing....for eating too much or just a way to keep from getting fat again....
It shocked me when I had this overwhelming desire a few months ago to actually DO one. So...I have embarked on the adventure of training as a newbie, and experiencing not only the ups and downs physically of my body adjusting again to all that running....but also the ups and downs mentally of setting goals for myself that are too high and unreasonable and realizing how, not only self-defeating that is...but also learning to enjoy something that was previously a form of punishment for my failures.
It has been tough to increase my mileage as I have been working in Harrison lately and that has been discouraging. I have been working at least 3 13-hour days every week and am just too tired after work to do anything but eat dinner, shower, and fall into bed, only to get up and do it all over again.... I admit I have been beating myself up over not going running after work, after being on my feet literally 13 hours a day. That's pretty stupid, now that I think about it...and it gets me nowhere, beating myself up. Not to mention that, this being my first marathon, I have been insanely worried about my times rather than just focusing on finishing...
Several good things about this new endeavor, though, have been meeting different groups of people, like the Hot Legs running club and the LR Marathon training group, that have inspired and encouraged me to continue, cut me some slack, and provided much guidance and support. For them, I am grateful...and it makes me realize that even though I am the one running, I know I don't HAVE to do it alone, despite my natural independent tendencies..
So....here I can outlet all my running triumphs and foibles..and hopefully get some good advice, from those who have been there before!
This is week 3 in the Marathon Build-up program. I have been at this stage for a short while. Tomorrow's scheduled distance is 4 miles. I am supposed to be doing 6, but will probably do 5 like I did last weekend. It was pretty brutal, with all those hills, but I guess it was good practice, since the actual race course is hills galore@! We'll see how tomorrow goes....I'm about to head out for today's run of 4 miles...
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3 comments:
Nice start to your blog! Don't worry about your time for the marathon, just get your miles in, just enjoy it, worry about your time on your SECOND one!
Have you thought about running before work? That's what I have to do, or I pretty much won't do it. I know it sounds crazy to get up an hour earlier than you already do, but you will feel so much better! And it only takes about a week to get used to it.
Tomorrow's route is pretty flat so the 5 miles will be a breeze after last weeks hills! I've decided to run at home, I've done that route way too many times.
The Little Rock Marathon training group is great!! I ran with them last winter while training with Cheryl for her first Marathon. Do they still have the cookies at the end?? For some reason those were the best cookies in the world, especially after a really long run!! Cheryl has good advice about running in the morning!! But most important don't beat yourself up over missed runs! Have fun and maybe I'll see you out on the roads or trails sometime.
Annette
I wish I could run before work, but I work in Harrison, have no one to run with in the dark, and that would put me getting up about 4 or earlier to run and get back to shower before work. I usually don't get off until after 8....ugh.....
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