My training for the marathon that I have yet to officially register for has begun!!

Yep, you read that correctly.  I booked a hotel room in January for the marathon in October and I’ve been training for a few weeks now, but have yet to register.  If you have followed my blogs, you will see that I wrote one about fear…. And it still seems to grip me.  However, that will change tomorrow.  YES, I plan on registering tomorrow.  Stay tuned to my social media outlets for the announcement!

I hope to blog about my training on a weekly basis, but I’m a busy Momma, so I can have the best intentions but some nights when I plan to write, I simply am too damn tired!!  Many people think the training is simply getting your mileage in, but there is so much more!!  A person training/running a marathon is NOT the same person who started.  It changes you and you learn far more about yourself than you ever wanted to know.  It’s a positive experience.  Mileage is important, but during those training runs, you figure out which foods & clothing work well for your body, along with mental strength, music, deeper relationships, solve personal problems, find strategies, brainstorm, and get stronger as a person.

I have been running between 9-12 miles on the weekends for 5 weeks now and maintaining a running pattern during the week of 3 runs which are typically on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  Those weekly runs are roughly 3-6 miles.  The weather in July was absolutely perfect for running and by this time on the kids’ summer break, I need a break and thoroughly enjoy the time away.  That’s a reason I fell in love with running in the first place.  It was MY time to spend on ME…… without being reminded of the laundry that needs to be folded or children calling “Mommy!”  I love to just put my earbuds in, listen to my music loudly, breath in the fresh air and spend some time with my own thoughts and prayers while feeling my body work hard.  It revives me and calms me at the same time.  I long for the peace a good run brings to my life.  I’m quite the anxious person with constant ideas/thoughts in my head and when I’m surrounded by too much noise or commotion, I get irritated easily.  I’ve learned to accept it….. and deal with it through running.

Back to my training >>> Many times, I have a running partner who runs with me.  I feel much safer when someone else is running with me (a couple of females have been attacked in the area the past year), we push each other, the company is nice, and as an asthmatic I just feel better having a partner.  But, there are times when I NEED a solo run and there’s been more and more of those lately.  I need those solo times to spend some time with God and figuring ‘life’ out.

The weather has cooperated and is perfect for outdoor exercise.  (You better get out there and enjoy it too!!!!)  My mileage times have been improving and I ran 5 miles last week with each mile being roughly 8:19 – 8:50 minute miles.  My comfort zone is a 9:45 minute mile.   Last Saturday evening I ran 11.5 miles and had serious DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) for a few days.  I haven’t been sore like that in a long time after running.  My knees have been slightly sore, but it changes per hour.  This Saturday, I ran a 12 miler and my right hip got really tight/sore around mile 11.  I then showered, rode to the Cincinnati Reds baseball game, and woke on Sunday without any soreness!  I really think it’s time for new running shoes.  I can tell my shoes are feeling ‘flat’ and my hips/knees/ankles get sore when I need new shoes.  I’d like them to last a 2 more weeks though, so that I’m closer to the marathon.  My Saturday morning 12 miler was a lonely one as I ran it solo.  Because of the very strong storms that roared through Friday night, much of my path had puddles and draining water.  It was a pretty run, as the sky was bright blue and everything had been washed by the rain.  I worked through some personal struggles, talked to God about relationships, and really had to push myself to continue running when my body wanted to walk.  I’m not going to lie; it was tough, but exactly what I needed.  I’m finding that I really need that solo time these days.  Life is a mad rush with the school year starting, so I need time to think and not to be surrounded by social media.

I started a private facebook group for runners so that we have a place to chat, support one another,  give tips, and join one another for races if possible.  That group has provided me with a lot of inspiration and support.  I was told that it’s ok to decrease my mileage for a week and all I needed was another long distance runner to tell me that.  SO, while on vacation this upcoming week, I will slightly decrease my mileage.  Although…. I love running while on vacation.  New scenery, new energy, and it
feels good to be on vacation and still make my fitness a priority.  Too many times people go on vacation and simply want to be lazy.  For me…. I will be lazy after I get my exercise, because it’s a priority and I love doing what others don’t.  My plan for this upcoming week is to cont. with my running on Monday, Wednesday,  Thursday, and Saturday, but with less mileage and while doing the FocusT25 workouts.  (Only 25 minutes a day and it’s great for traveling).  Gotta keep the muscles strong and work them in other ways besides the same patterns (running) to avoid injury, boredom, and to keep them healthy.

What’s your workout plans for the upcoming week?  Did you know that planning your workouts increased the probability that you will actually do it?  When it’s not an OPTION, but a PRIORITY….you will do it.  Feeling stressed?  Workout.  Getting your blood pumping, adrenaline rushing, and focusing on your body, decreases stress and allows you to deal with it more easily.  Use exercise as a medication – a natural remedy.

Happy Running!!  Many people say they can’t run, but only a few truly should not.
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