…begins with a single step. I took that first step last month, but have yet to really blog about it. It was more than a step though. I’d call it a leap. A leap of great faith in myself, as this is probably one of the hardest physical endeavors I’ve ever set my mind to.
I am going to be running a marathon! The San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in June, to be exact.
Over the past two and a half years running has become an outlet for me. There’s a quote on Pinterest that sums it up brilliantly:
I definitely use running as my escape. It’s my moment to think, to talk [silently] to myself, and be with my thoughts. Does that sound corny? Well, it’s true. “Run from relationships” is my favorite part of the quote above. I picked up running right before I went through an awful breakup, and during that breakup and numerous makeups and breakups after the first one [yes, same guy], running was my sole savior. It was during that time that I signed up for my first half-marathon. I figured, if I am running from my relationship problems, I might as well give myself a finish line! And that I did, when I crossed the finish line at the 2011 Walt Disney World Wine and Dine Half Marathon.
A year and a few months after that half marathon, here I am, training for my first full marathon. That tumultuous and stressful relationship is finally officially over [forever, it's safe to say], but there are other uses for my runs these days, both mental and [obviously] physical. Running gives me such an insane sense of self, a sense of strength, and mental clarity. If there is something “off” in my life, it no longer feels like a very big deal once I’m running. You can bet that I am definitely thinking about my problem du jour while I’m running, but I am also thinking about how capable I am of overcoming it. It sounds so cliche when I put it in writing… but it is what it is. Running is my strength-builder, my confidence-finder.
Anyway, I am in week 5 of marathon training. I can’t believe I am saying that, and that I’ve gotten 4 weeks of training, and over 85 miles of running, under my belt already. Wow. My quads already have something to show for all their work… I’ve never seen them so toned.
Here is what my January running calendar looked like, via MapMyRun:
I’m following Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 training program, for which I have also downloaded the iPhone app, and am absolutely loving. Hal sounds like a wise old grandpa [no offense, Hal, it's a good thing] as he guides you through your run with his words of wisdom, anecdotes, and notifications on how many miles you have left that day. It’s great.
I will definitely be chronicling more of my marathon-training journey on the blog, so I hope you follow along as I work my way up to 26.2 miles in June! It’s going to be a long journey, but I am sure it will bring with it many new experiences… I think I’m ready 
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