It seems to be a mainstay in any lifelong checklist of the dream ladened would-be adventurer: Run a marathon. I'm not exactly sure how many people say this and of those, actually complete it. But I have to say, it is enticing. So, I'm in.
I started training for the Chicago Marathon a few months ago. I looked up strategies on the web, workout schedules, movies about marathons, songs to listen to while running - the whole shebang. Well, the shebang that didn't cost anything. Anywho, it was a slew of information. This site was invaluable. Not being a runner of any kind, I needed to start slow. There was a 10 week schedule that had as the only requirement "Must be able to run for 30 minutes." 30 minutes? Yeah, I think I could do that. I strapped on some old beat up cross trainers and trotted out the door. To disastrous effect. I think it might have been the trotting that did me in. I couldn't run for more than 10 minutes without wheezing. Sad.
Now don't get the wrong idea. I am by no means a sedentary couch surfer who guzzles mountain dew and snacks incessantly on hot pockets. Any more. I, despite my lack of running stamina, am a very healthy active person:
I bike to work 7 miles every day and 7 miles home.
I quit smoking a year ago and haven't cheated once.
I eat a vegetarian diet fairly regularly.
I drink plenty of water.
I'm well within my weight.
These should be the mark of a person that can run for 30 minutes. They are not. Apparently, running is a -completely- different beast and one that shouldn't be taken lightly, lest it rip your calves off. So, instead of the 10 week training, I went for the 26 week. And then some. I figure, I'll take my time and work my way into it slowly. The number one cause of injury in running is taking on too much too soon. Not gonna happen.
I started walking in the freezing January mornings where the temperature was sitting at a balmy 15 degrees, and told myself that this was the temperature of commitment. Being a winter cyclist, it didn't bother me too much, and I remember looking at the dead and barren trees and being excited that I was going to see them blossom while I trained.
I walked for 40 minutes, 4 days a week, for 3 weeks. While it sounds slow, it made me realize how little I actually used these muscles. Biking is not the same. Then it morphed into run/walks then short runs that lasted 20 minutes. As I built up to non stop runs, I could feel myself changing. my knees started hurting less, my legs felt lighter, yet denser. I started walking straighter.
The day I was able to run for 30 minutes was a small but important milestone, one that I wasn't going to overlook.
And all the while, leaves started showing on the trees.
I started the full training a couple of weeks ago. I run for 4 days a week with the longest run on Saturdays. This past Saturday, I ran 5 miles. While some may consider this a basic run, this is the farthest I've ever run. In my life.
From here on out, every Saturday is a new challenge that I've never even attempted before. It'll keep getting tougher, and I think I'll keep getting tougher too.
This coming Saturday will be 6 miles. Then 8. And on until I get to 26.2.
