As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, I’m going to run a marathon this year! I’m so excited/nervous/curious/terrified/etc. because this is something that has been on my list for YEARS now. I feel like I’m in a good place currently where I can train properly and have a healthy mindset surrounding all of this time and work that I’m going to be putting into the next 6 months!
I don’t “officially” start my training until the end of March but since I really took a step back from it all this past year to work on finding a place where I feel truly healthy in my body I really wasn’t doing any consistent cardio. Actually, for most of 2018 I would definitely say that walking and some yoga was the only consistent exercise in my life. It’s the first actual break that I’ve taken off of all things exercise and I think that it’s so good to do sometimes. I truly believe that taking a break from intense fitness workouts and routines has allowed me to come back and build a solid baseline to start my training which is definitely a GOOD thing.
I’m currently 2 weeks into my pre-training training and I’m feeling good… and sore! I have a running program that I’m following which coincides with a strength based program that I just started this week as well. I have never done either of these programs before so I don’t want to share them until I complete them to see if they’re something that I’d recommend. If so, I’ll share it all at the end of this adventure!
So basically, I’m running 3-4 times each week, cross training/strength training 2-3 times a week, and doing some light yoga the other 2 days that are my rest days.
My mileage seems very manageable until the end of May, June, and July when it really ramps up but I’m expecting that the nice weather will fuel me to a place of excitement for the 10-20 mile runs that I’ll be getting in on the weekends!
I’ve been getting outside for each of my runs so far. I am very anti-treadmill just because I find it SO boring and I’ve refused to let the weather stop me from heading out the door. I have only had one issue with my foot getting soaked in a hidden slush puddle less than a mile into my run. Yes, I could have turned around for a new pair of shoes and socks. No, I didn’t because getting out the door is the hardest part and I didn’t want to have to do that TWICE in one day. Otherwise I’ve only had some chilly moments here and there but it hasn’t been as horrifying as it seems to be out in freezing temps. You can follow more of my day to day training on Instagram. I’ve been sharing a lot from my runs in real time on there!
I’ve been trying to pinpoint the reasoning that I have for wanting to do this. A lot of people that I share this goal with have shared with me a lot of reasons that they don’t have any desire in the world to run a marathon. That seems much easier to answer than WHY I do want to go for that 26.2 and I really want to capture a clear reason because when I’m out there on these freezing cold or long training runs questioning my entire existence I think it is SO IMPORTANT to be able to come back to a WHY.
I’m running a marathon because….
I have this amazing body that I am so grateful for and I want to put it to use. I want to build up to the greatest shape that I’ll have ever been in and I want to use this body for things that seem so far from my grasp right now but that I know are attainable with a little (okay, a lot) of work.
I LOVE type 2 fun and this is definitely type 2 fun.
Discipline. Nothing strengthens your discipline muscle (and like every other muscle in your body actually) than running and running and running.
The unknown aspect of growth. Doing hard things comes with a lot of unknowns that are sure to make you grow as a person. In what ways? Well, I have no idea but I’m sure going to find out!
I just want to do it. That’s reason enough. This is something that I want. I don’t have to have a million reasons why I want to do something at the beginning of doing the thing. I think that the reasons can come along as you go along and I feel like things will be added to this list as I go on throughout the training process.
There you have it! I plan to share updates throughout my training; maybe biweekly or monthly. I’m not sure yet but I do want to document as much as possible! I don’t really have any desire to do another marathon after this one, but word on the street is that a lot of people say the same thing and end up falling in love with the 26.2 mile challenge. So I guess we’ll see how it goes! Stay tuned!
What are you training for or what do you want to train for in the future? Let me know!
