I have decided today to begin my journey to completing my first marathon. I looked and the Nashville Marathon is on April 24, 2010; almost exactly 6 months from now. I am going to try to complete and finish this marathon. 26.2 miles! Yikes! Can I do it? Sure I can it will just take some work.
I created this blog so that I can daily update what I did and how I feel, etc. I want to document this entire process. Hopefully, the day before the race I can read through these blogs and see how far I have come.
My motivation came from my father-in-law. He runs 5 - 7 miles on a regular basis and he is 63+ years old. We are actually up in Iowa visiting the in-laws during fall break. He left and ran 5 miles. I couldn't even think of joining him for the run.
Also, I am out of shape. I just weighed myself this morning and got 207 pounds. Ouch! My pants are way to tight as well. I seem to get tired really easily (this might be because I normally do not get the sleep I need) I am 35 years old. I can tell my metabolism is really slowing down. I can't eat as much as I used to. It seems I am just getting larger and larger. I am not running the marathon to lose weight. I know that will be a benefit, but I am running the marathon to get back in shape. Being healthy has so many benefits.
I am a huge fan of the biggest loser. I see those guys loosing so much weight and getting into shape. If they can do it, why can't I?
Another concern I have is that the website for the Nashville Marathon noted that there is a limitation in the speed. If you run a slower pace you will get picked up by the car. I am always worried that I'll be picked up. The limit is 7 hours which is a 16 minutes a mile. If I follow the schedule I should be able to hit this.
Today, I pulled together my training schedule. I did some research on the internet and found some good training schedules for those running their first marathon. The training schedule looks a bit daunting. By my next time to visit my in-laws I should be able to run 9 miles! That is by Christmas time.
My biggest concern is my dietary needs. I need to make sure I eat what I need to eat to train. I don't know as much about this as I should need. I hold this doesn't hold me up and hurt my ability to train.
The question is when do I run? Do I run in the morning? I need to leave to take Michael to school around 7:40. That should give me enough time to run in the morning and get ready. I might have to get up a bit earlier. Or I could train after 8:30 after the kids go to bed. I actually think the morning makes most sense. This way I can still spend time with Heather in the evening and actually relax a little bit. I guess I'll run in the morning.
I need to go shopping to get some running shoes (since I'll be running so much I'll probably need to have some good shoes so I don't hurt my feet). I, also, need some running shorts. I have plenty to running t-shirts. I'll go shopping tomorrow for this.
I also need to put together running music for my I-pod. I'll look on the internet for this.
Another negative is that I will be training during busy season in the winter and early spring. I'll have to become a pro at time management this year.
Alrighty, here we go! This is it! Let's do it!
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strengh".
