More Information Less Fluff: Week 2

It must have been post run euphoria affecting my brain that produced the last blog entry. I'll try to stay away from the fluff as I outline week two of training. Following The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer for week 2:
Day 1: 3 miles (Monday AM)
Day 2: 4 miles (Wednesday PM)
Day 3: 3 miles (Friday AM)
Day 4: 6 miles (Saturday PM)
Week 2 is the same as week 1 with the exception of one mile being added to the long run on day 4. Last week I felt mostly good except on Monday after running three days in a row. That was a mistake. It is absolutely true that one's body needs time to recover. I felt that need for recovery after running 5 miles yesterday. I will try to work my schedule out to have one day off before and after the long runs, especially as they get longer.
One thing I am learning is to relax while I run. Tension can start to build up and throw my form off. When this happens the first step is to recognize it! Then I slow down a bit, drop my arms and envision my foot hitting the ground like a rocking horse. Weird, I know. Stan taught me this idea. My foot hits the ground and rolls from heel to toe in a nice fluid motion. A few moments of concentrating on getting the form back and releasing tension really helps my run go better.
This week's chapter in the book focuses on staying positive and introduces the "...but it doesn't matter." technique. It goes a little something like, "It's pouring rain outside but it doesn't matter." "My knee hurts but it doesn't matter." "I'm too tired but it doesn't matter." "I have no time today but it doesn't matter." It's essentially a way of avoiding excuses. This strategy seems handy in events off the trail as well. "My child is in a bad mood but it doesn't matter." "The person in front of me just cut me off but it doesn't matter." I don't know how effective this technique will be but it doesn't matter; I'm still going to try it out.
I also read an article in Runner's World magazine (Feb 2011) about mantras. I thought the article was great and I look forward to using some of the mantras they suggested such as, "Claw the ground," when going up a hill, or, "One mile at time," when going long distances. Eventually I would like to come up with my own personal mantra including the words "awesome","totally","survivor","run" and "fierce".

She Never Interrupts

My relationship with running has blossomed like a sunflower in July over the past few weeks. She is my friend, my partner, my confidant. We are in love. It was difficult at first; me chasing, her playing hard to get. But recently we have fallen into perfect harmony. She let's me listen to my own music, allows me to go on and on without interrupting. I long for her, dream about her and plan my schedule to be with her. Nothing else matters when we're together. These intense feelings grow stronger each time we meet...As of 10:43AM on this day we entered into a marriage. I signed on the dotted line and paid up to run the Kalamazoo marathon. I wish all official partnerships could be this easy!

Training! Week 1

Today starts the 16 week training program leading up to the marathon on May 8. I am using the training schedule/program in The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer by Whitsett, Dolgener and Kole. I will be running four days a week including two short runs, one mid-length run and a long run. This week's schedule is:
Day 1: 3 miles (will do today, AM)
Day 2: 4 miles (tomorrow before class, 2:30)
Day 3: 3 miles (Fri. AM)
Day 4: 5 miles (Sat. afternoon)
I am confident that I will get through this week with ease. Chapter 1 in the book discusses creating an internal locus of control. This is a psychological concept in which people believe that they are in control of the events in their life versus thinking that other people, fate or circumstances dictate the events in their life. Thankfully, I have a strong locus of control. This control will be a necessary element to successfully complete all of the training runs and eventually the marathon. I need to believe that I can effortlessly and joyfully run and run and run...here i go!

I'm drinking coffee and not running.

Well here we are, Day 4 of being snowed in and without a run! I guess Atlanta is kind of old fashioned in that we wait for the sun to melt the snow and ice on the roads. The roads have not been drivable and the trails are certainly not runnable for a rookie like myself. I would hate to risk injury. My Northern running friends (especially Rudi and Kelsey, perhaps cousin Brad) must think I'm a complete and total slacker and I do feel guilt for not braving the conditions to get in a quick jaunt (never thought I'd say something like that). I never thought I would crave the endorphin releasing runner's high. Which brings me to my brother...
He is a 200 lbs, cigarette smoking, beer drinking, video game playi...you get the idea. He told me yesterday that he is interested in running! If he could get a runner's high, I'm sure he'd be addicted in no time! I'm thrilled to hear about his interest and I'm hoping to get him hooked.

How did I start running?

When I was a kid I had vivid dreams about a park. It was a park in the woods with a long, wide trail. In the dream I would be walking down the trail and arrive at a certain point where the trees draped over the trail making a beautiful, shady space. As an adult walking down a long, wide trail in Atlanta, I reached that space. I'm not kidding. It was so familiar to me and I knew the very first time I was there that it was the place I dreamed of. It's a 5K balloon trail along the Chattahoochee river north of Atlanta.
I started walking there pushing Lucky in his stroller when he was a few months old. I would listen to This American Life on my ipod and spend an hour shuffling along. I walked there pulling Lucky in a wagon when he was a year old. I started to jog a 1/4 mile at a time. Eventually, I worked up to jogging the entire 5K. I was motivated to run!
A year ago, I ran my first 5K race and I loved it. The energy of the other runners, the mutual participation in such a healthy endeavor so early in the morning was inspiring to me. I've run a total of three 5K races and a 10K race. My longest distance is just over 6 miles and I've distanced just over a hundred miles since September.
Most of my training for the marathon will be done at the park along the Chattahoochee. It was meant to be.

I'm training for a marathon?

I've never been a "runner". You know, one of those people who have been running for years. They are super fit, healthy, dedicated commitment types who eat oatmeal and oranges for breakfast. They've been running since track in fifth grade and have the latest running gear. No, that's not me. It took me six years to get through undergrad. I'm kind of a commitment-phobe and have trouble finishing things. I get to the very end of a movie and turn it off, read three quarters of a book and set it down, wash the dishes and leave a spoon and a cup for later...
I'm ready for change. I'm ready to make a big commitment and see it through 26.2 miles down the path. I'm running the Kalamazoo marathon in Michigan the weekend of my 30th birthday.