Marathon Journey

 
    
15
Jan 2008
12:31 PM EDT
   

Winds of change

Well with my taking this gig in SC, I won't be able to run the half marathon next month. That's very disappointing. But such is life. Hopefully nothing will conflict with the actual marathon date. Training is going well. Tuesday I had my easy run of 3miles. I ran outside as it was unseasonably warm. Nearly 70 degrees. Yesterday I worked out on the elliptical. I typically use that on my X training days. Today I have a 5 mile run. I'm trying to gauge the weather to decide if I'll run outside or at the gym.

I prefer to run outside. For one, the marathon is outside so it makes sense to run outdoors. But I also enjoy just being outside and hearing the sounds of the City. Seeing people look at me. Smile, watch, frown, etc. I wonder what they think? Does it motivate them? Make them feel bad? Could care less? I wonder...

Well I've lost 2lbs thus far as I work in my 2nd week of training. 187lbs. I'm drinking plenty of water and bought all new running gear at the Nike store to include sneakers. I wanted the equalon +2 but they only had the 1 version. So I bought them. That's my 3rd pair! lol. It's an excellent running shoe but I can't wait to try their version 2! It's supposed to be much, much lighter.

79 days to go...

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15
Jan 2008
12:28 PM EDT
   

10 Miler

Training is going well. I ran in the PSCI Icicle Ten Miler Sunday. I finished 210 out 478 runners. My 10 mile time was 1:20:56. I ran a bit faster when I did the Army 10 miler in Iraq but this course had quite a few hills. Plus I made a conscious effort to run a 8:33 pace. In the end, my average pace was 8:06. So I am very happy with that.
I was due to run 9 miles that day but decided to go ahead and run in this one just to be around other runners since I train alone. I'm glad I did. It was motivating and encouraging. It was also humbling. There were some seasoned runners out there. I have a long way to go before I can ever be truly competitive. But I was far from disappointed.
It's frustrating to practice a sport where you don't really have the body type to fit in. I'm short and muscular not tall and lean. But what I lose in body type I overcome with heart, determination and guts. I may not make the Olympics...but I damn sure will make some splashes around this country.
Once I get settled, I think I will seek out a running club. It will help with my training and be a good way to meet and make friends-both men and women. Talking with everyday people, you tend to get the impression that women don't care for running. But of those near 500 people Sunday, I'm willing to bet more than half were women. Many of which finished before I did. It also made for a nice view when running. :-)
My legs are still a tad sore. Those hills were rough. Today is an easy day. 3 miles and I'm out. Thank goodness!
74 days until game day.
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07
Jan 2008
12:31 PM EDT
   

So it begins...

One week is down in my journey to complete my first marathon. My training plan, taken from runnersworld.com is workable and sensible. As I get closer to my race date, I will seek more specific advice from seasoned runners. For now, it's off to a good start. Do to the weather, I've been using strictly a treadmill to meet my running demands. However, I prefer to run outdoors and will jump at the first opportunity to do so.

My training plan is as follows for this coming week.

Mon- rest, Tues- 3 mi, Wed- Xtraining, Th- 5 miles, Fr- weights, Sat-rest, Sun- 9 miles

I've recently had some problems with my left knee. The infamous "runners knee". It seems to have passed but I only seem to have trouble with it when I increase my mileage. Hopefully it will hold. I have a long way to go. The training plan caps out at 20 miles for my longest run. I'm not even at 10 yet. So we'll see...

I may add a night of Yoda into the mix. Not sure just yet...

As it stands now, I'm going to target the ING Georgia Marathon on March 30th http://www.inggeorgiamarathon.com/site3.aspx. The follow up with another in May at the Fargo Marathon. Fargo will also be my backup in case, for whatever reason, GA does not happen. Plus, I expect for GA to a learning experience. So if all goes well, the Fargo Marathon will be the better event for me personally.

For now, my focus is the 3 miles I have tomorrow.

82 days to go.

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runTJrun's Profile

  • Username: runTJrun
  • Gender / Age: Male, 51
  • Location: USA - Delaware
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    About Me: For some time now I've flirted with running a marathon. Prior to my deployment, running began to play a bigger role in my life. That passion grew during my deployment and boiled into an earnest commitment to complete my first marathon. I'm not in it for awards, sponsorship, money, fame, or titles. My sole purpose and motivation is to be able to look myself in the mirror one morning and say, "Turhan...you did it." These pages will capture my journey.