Almost time

Once upon a time, I decided that I wanted to try and become a runner. I wanted to run in order to lose weight and try to be healthier. My first runs were nothing but pure pain and agony; my lungs burned and my legs felt like concrete blocks. I was determined to keep going because I knew that eventually it would get easier. At the time, I had no idea how long it would take to get easier. Months and months went by before I could run a full mile without my lungs burning. I was determined to keep going and signed up for my first 5k. It was noting spectacular, but I was proud of the fact that I finished. I kept signing up for races to ensure that I would keep running. Eventually, I was brave enough to sign up for my first 10k. Luckily, my sister-in-law agreed to run it wit me because I was a little nervous. I wasn't positive that I could run 6.2 miles and survive. With determination and Hal Higdon's training plan, I was able to finish the race! I decided that I might be able to survive a half-marathon. The training was intense for me, and I ended up getting sick the week before the race. Crossing the finish line was one of the hardest things I had done in my life, but the way I felt was worth all of the pain and agony. I wasn't sure if I would ever run another half! After a few months passed, I decided that I was up for the challenge.

My sister-in-law ran her first full marathon three years ago, and I told her I would NEVER do a full marathon. I couldn't imagine what the training would be like, and I didn't feel like a runner at that point in my life. Over the last three years, I started gaining confidence as a runner, and I told her that I might do one with her before I turned 40. I knew that would buy me some time and give me some time to come up with a good excuse not to do one. In the last year and a half, I started feeling like a "real" runner and started get faster. I was setting goals and meeting them. I knew that 2015 would be the year for me to finally agree to running a full marathon. Running faster was getting easier, and I finally had confidence as a runner.

As 2014 was coming to close, I felt the pressure of finding a marathon to run. I knew that it would have to be in April or November because I struggle with running in the heat. An April full would mean that I would have to take my chances with snow, ice, and negative wind chills. A November full would mean that my training would have to start in the summer, and I would have to deal with heat and humidity. I wasn't sure which would be the lesser of the evils. On New Year's Day, I finally picked the Philadelphia Marathon on November 22nd.

All year I have been feeling anxious about training and running the race. It has been in the back of mind for the last 6 1/2 months. Now it is at the forefront since training starts next week. I have kept up with running and workouts since my last half in April, but I am feeling really nervous about the next 18 weeks. What if my body cannot endure all of the miles? What if I get hurt? What if I cannot run more that 13.1 miles? What if....there are so many other thoughts running through my mind. I am hoping that all of the jitters stop once I get a run longer than 13.1 miles under my belt. Just another challenge that I need to face and overcome. I KNOW that if I follow the training plan, cross train, and fuel my body properly that I will survive the training and the race. No it's just a matter of convincing my mind and heart to believe it!

Stay tuned for weekly updates on training! :)