One Step at a Time

Lately I’ve been getting really nervous about running my first marathon. It’s only 45 days away and I don’t feel near ready. It’s hard for me to even write about because telling people I’m doing it makes it even more real and even more scary for me. What if I get injured before or what if I can’t complete it? I know how hard it is to run a half so I truly can’t imagine running a full. Actually I do imagine it and I imagine it being extremely hard which is probably why I’m so scared. These are all fears of mine but I guess I need to focus more on the journey and take one day at a time and one step at a time. I love hearing other people’s running stories and recently I read about some people’s 1st marathon experience so now I’m going to share my own, so far…

Why are you running a marathon?
I started out training for a half marathon. During training I thought if I’m ever going to train for a full, now is the time to go for it!
How did you select your race?
My brother lives in Portland, OR and it’s a beautiful and active city. I knew it would be the perfect place for my first marathon and I LOVED the date. Silly I know but saying I ran my first marathon on 10-10-10 is really cool to me.
What shape were you in when you began training?
I began training in December 2009. At that time, the most I’d ever ran was 3 miles. When I began training, I was comfortable running 1 mile and semi comfortable running 3. I was used to being active and had a decent muscle base and fitness level from doing aerobics classes. I used to be a cheerleader and run track in High School but I really hadn’t been consistently active for quite some time.
What is your training plan?
I started training with Runner’s World in December of 2009. After I finished my half, I began training with Fleet Feet in early July 2010. Running with a group gives me much needed encouragement and direction.
What is your motivation for running?
If you read my blog, then you know I have so many reasons for running but mainly because I like having a goal and it makes me feel good! I’m also a little stubborn so I want to prove to myself that I can do it and check this off my bucket list. Although I’ve really grown to love running with so much more passion than I ever thought I would.
What is your biggest training mistake?
Hard to say since I haven’t completed my training yet. But my focus is on not getting injured. I need to start stretching more and start taking more ice baths. I’m petrified of getting hurt. Other than that, I wish I would be better trained when I run in October but I can’t really help that at this point. All I can do is try my best to finish. They say on your first marathon to not focus on a finish time but just to cross the finish line so that is my main goal.
What is your eating plan?
Ha-ha this is my favorite part. I eat whatever I want, not saying it’s right but I do. But with that said, I really do try to be mindful of drinking more water and Gatorade than ever before and I need to start eating clean and cut out alcohol completely. But there’s nothing better than having a few beers or a glass of wine Saturday evening after a long Saturday morning run. I think I deserve that after what I’ve put my body through.
How do you deal with injury?
I’ve had one minor injury so far, and I took the week completely off and R.I.C.E. Like I said I’m so scared of getting hurt so I’m doing my best to listen to my body.
What is your pre-race ritual?
I try to wake up an hour or more before race time so that my food has time to digest. I eat a Clif bar and just try to mentally prepare. I have usually set my running gear out the night before so I’m ready to go!
The next few questions, I can’t answer until after I’m done with my race in October. Fingers crossed.
Be brutal, what was the race like?
How did you celebrate your marathon?
Do you plan to run more in your future?
What is your running schedule now?
Honestly do you enjoy running or just the effects?
What advice do you have for first timers?

So it’s official, I’m 45 days away from completing my first marathon. I look forward to the feeling I will feel after I cross that finish line. But until that happens, the debauchery of training continues. Wish me luck!