After an extended hiatus, I remembered that I promised to blog about my marathon training. And just because the training hasn't been going swimmingly, I shouldn't abandon the blog. When things get tricky, it's even more important to tell the story of the marathon journey.
When I left off, weeks ago, I had tumbled to the ground, sprained my ankle and was sulking on the couch. It's 5 weeks later, we're 30 days out from the MARATHON and a lot (and a little) has happened in that time. My training took a total dive. For several weeks I barely ran at all, missing 2 long runs, only running once mid-week (and a short, slow run) each week and stepping back on my long run schedule. I had planned to KILL IT in September to make up for a lackluster August, due to a recurrent stomach issue. Instead I walked instead of ran and spent time worrying and feeling sore and sorry for myself.
Last year, when I trained for my first half-marathon, I did it alone. No training groups or long run buddies. It was difficult to get motivated and it wasn't always enjoyable. The best thing about the marathon training has been the long runs with the Summer Safari training group in Kalamazoo. However, just when I really needed my group that shuffles along at my slower than molasses pace, I picked up, packed up Penelope Cruze (Kari named my new car), and moved to Muskegon. I was now staring down the barrel of moving, a new job, recovering from injury, and running without my crew all at once.
Overwhelmed.
In the last 2 1/2 weeks I've managed to move many (certainly not all) of my things to Muskegon and get the newly remodeled house set up. The kitchen is in order and we've actually cooked meals, the living room has matching furniture and the TV mounted on the wall, the outlets and light switches are brand new - and that doesn't even count all the hired labor for the flooring, counters, painting, etc. The (mostly) clean house, with uncluttered counter tops and routinely made bed is peaceful and soothing, as my mind often runs much faster than my legs. The cat is enjoying the stillness of living on a street with next to no traffic and nearly silent neighbors. She sits in the open windows and listens to crickets - and stares down the cat next door. It's just right.
(Note: The one messy area in the house is "my room." The spare room with my dressers and things. I haven't gotten it together yet. I can sense your surprise from here.)
Back to the running. Since I've moved back I've gotten back to my long runs in an attempt to prepare for my longest training run (20 miles, this Saturday). My friend Kari has helped more than I can say in the last few weeks. She's significantly faster than me, but when I ran 12 miles on September 14th, she ran the first 6 with me, at my slow run/walk pace and interval - before going on to complete her 20 miler on her own! Last weekend, I wanted to run 16 miles (my longest by just a bit). I was waffling on when to do it, wasn't feeling motivated or excited. Kari and I hatched a plan to run around Spring Lake (with a 4 mile add-on) on Saturday morning. This time, she ran the entire thing at my pace, including walking intervals. I really don't know if I would have made it through so well without the companionship and support. The run was a great success, and I felt like I was flying afterwards. Granted, by 9:30 pm, I was demanding to go home from a party and go to bed - but that's what happens when you date a runner.
The road to the marathon has not been straight and narrow. It's been twisty, turny, LONG, and bumpy. And we're not done yet. 20 miles on Saturday and then the balancing act of the taper.
 |
| After 12 miles at Pere Marquette Park |
Future topics for thought: "Surviving your runner's mood swings" (will Mike guest post?), "The agony and the ecstasy of the taper," or "Hey, what's with that _______ (insert unsightly skin/foot/body part)?"
 |
| A good place for the road to lead |
