Marathon Training

Well, I have always wanted to do it, but I have never actually started training. This week I began training for a marathon. There isn't one around here for a while (well, I think there is one in May, but that is a little too soon!), so I found a half marathon that will be in October. I am so looking forward to it, but I haven't signed up yet. I think part of me is scared to put my money down and then stop training because, until the recent weight loss, that's how my life has been. Have a goal, start working toward it, then quit.

I figure the more people that know I want to do the marathon, the more people I have to keep me accountable. Next week, on the 15th (payday) I am going to sign up for the 1/2 marathon. Everyone who reads this, make sure you ask me if I did or not.

Back to my training - I found a "super beginner" training schedule online. It's a 26 week training schedule, so honestly, I think just about anyone could do this. The first 10 weeks are simply going out and running for a certain amount of time, not even worrying about distance. In fact, the first 7 weeks of the plan are to "run/walk" during the time frame. The first week actually says to ONLY walk. Of course, I've never been one to follow the rules, so I have been running this week, and I've been averaging about a 9:15ish mile. I love it. I love running. It is so addictive, and even though there are times when I feel like it's hard to breathe, when I finish a run...wow, it feels great! I feel like I have accomplished something.

I'm looking to run a couple more 5Ks and maybe a 10K, so if anyone around Florence knows of one upcoming, let me know! My first 5K time was 30 minutes and 33 seconds; hoping my next one will be between 27-28. :)