The Beginning

This is my first blog post. I figured why not start one to document my marathon training. I finally figured out how to do it but it took me awhile. I'm not very computer literate which makes it very difficult. Sure I can surf around on the web fine but when it comes to creating things that is a little more difficult.

So my friend has convinced me to run a marathon with her, specifically the Cleveland Marathon in May. I signed up last year but ended up not training for it or anything so I didn't end up running. Which turned out to be a good thing since it was probably about 85 that day. Way too hot for any sort of distance running. I did start running again that day, though. Just a mile but it was something. Building my distance up again was going to take time because I hadn't run in awhile. I didn't have a good excuse why I stopped except that I needed a break.

I had a couple of set backs over the summer. I fell down the stairs and broke my tailbone. I don't suggest doing that because you have to sit on a donut and when they take the x-rays you have to lay on your back. It was extremely uncomfortable to say the least. On a scale of 1-10 it was about an 11. My boyfriend and I went on vacation to the Bahamas in July and a week after we got back my grandfather died. I was devastated because I wasn't prepared at all. Needless to say I started eating my feelings and became pretty depressed. Luckily I have the best boyfriend in the world who is extremely patient and loving and took care of me through the ordeal.

I decided to get my butt in gear and start working out again. Running was rough at first but then started to get easier and easier. I was still doing a run/walk but at least I was doing something. My marathon friend told me about this online bootcamp she was going to do and I decided to join her and signed up the next day. Needless to say this was probably one of the best experiences of my life. It definitely got me back in the right direction. Halfway through I was able to run 6 miles in a row. I have never run that long before or that many miles without walking. I was amazed and I can't say enough times how thankful I am that I found out about that bootcamp.

I ran my fastest 5K before the 6 mile run. 30 minutes and 30 seconds. I don't know how fast that is compared to my last run because I haven't "raced" in awhile. I say it like that because I'm kind of slow and don't run to win first place. I run because at the moment it keeps me healthy and I am finally starting to enjoy the time I spend on the road or on the treadmill. It keeps me sane and happy. And everyone enjoys when I'm happy. Lol.

I start training for the marathon on December 18th. Only 4 days away. I'm excited and nervous about it. I have big hopes for this race because this will be a huge accomplishment for me. I hated running when I was younger and can't believe I have come this far. Running 3 half marathons in a year and then taking a bunch of time off was what I needed. I know I can do this and have a goal to finish in under 5 hours. If the weather is like last year, I'll be ecstatic to finish in 6 just because I don't know how I will handle the heat. I want to maintain an 11 minute mile which hopefully won't be too hard. I have an extensive training plan and a great support system. I have been doing my research so I hope I'm prepared.

I know this is a little unorganized but I'm not a writer. I just want to be able to record what I'm doing to look back on later and say "Wow! I really accomplished something here!"