Well, here we are, the end of the third week. In three weeks I have run 35 miles, and I'm pretty sure before this training that's the most I have run in the past five years. Let me say that again: I have run 35 miles in 3 weeks. That's half way to Atlanta from Dalton. That's more than twice the distance I have to run (on March 21st). Oh right, that distance, 13.1 miles all has to happen at once. When you look at it that way, I guess that's what the next 13 weeks are for. I still feel quite accomplished right now though. Speaking of accomplishments, I've had a few this week, and it's important that I mention these because after all that's what this whole thing is helping me do. I'm learning that even the steps along the way are mini accomplishments that will ultimately lead to the big one on March 21st. Here they are: I got my grades for the semester and this was my best semester I've ever had. It would have been perfect if some crazy person hadn't invented the plus/minus system! I also took the GRE and exceeded my goal. I finished my Christmas shopping with one week to spare, wrapped too! My credit card is lower than it has ever been and will be paid off next month (if you know what I've done this past year, you will think that's AMAZING!)! Lastly, I finished yet another week of training, and I still enjoy running!
As I mentioned in an earlier entry, I read a book (The Non-runner's Marathon Guide for Women) to guide my training. In the first chapter entitled "The Decision", the author provides a test to see if the marathon running thing is for you. The "Should I Train for a Marathon?" Test includes some of the following questions:
1. I have on real need to get anywhere when I run, I enjoy running for hours only to end up in the same place I started. True/False
2. I enjoy eating as many calories as I want and not gaining weight. True/False
3. I've been sleeping in way too much, so I've been looking for something to take up a few hours on my Saturday mornings. True/False
4. For a good time I prefer to
a. Eat Tacos
b. Watch TV
c. Watch TV and eat tacos
d. run around in circles for hours
Naturally, you might take this test and feel that you should not run a marathon, or in my case a half, but you'd be wrong. The correct answers to those questions are bogus, and if you did answer the correctly (which you don't even know which ones they are, but I know you're smart and can figure it out), you might need to see someone about some personal problems. Since that is probably not helpful in making the BIG decision, the author also suggested to make a pro/con list of reasons to make such a crazy decision. Here's my pro/con list:
Pro: I will be in the best shape of my life. (This could prove to back fire seeing that I'm only 21, but whatev)
Con: I might be in the most pain of my life.
Pro: I will feel accomplished after crossing the finish line.
Con: I might have to be carried across the finish line.
Pro: I will be able to eat lots of fun food without any added guilt.
Con: I hear you have to eat a lot of pasta... YUCK!
This week I learned that I cannot yet run my miles with my dog because he seems to have a faster mile pace than I do (and he definitely hasn't gone through this training, something's not right there), but I guess that's my next goal: to be able to train with Mickey. I also ran my 3 miles today WITHOUT music. My ipod died, and I was stuck with just my thoughts for three whole miles. Needless to say, I won't be doing that on a long run. I was making my own playlist, and something tells me that I should stick with education and not go into the DJ profession...it wasn't pretty. On that note, if you're driving around this break and see someone running (especially without headphones), please roll down your window and cheer them on. You just never know what goals they are working toward. Also, as a personal note, please look both ways (maybe a couple times) before making that turn. There just might be a runner coming, and if it's freezing cold, please be ever so kind and let them pass first! To end, some encouragement from my handy book: I can. I will. I am able. PEACE!!
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