Stop The Insanity, Bring On The Miles

I no longer hate Shaun T. but I did have to stop the Insanity program, for a few reasons. About two weeks ago, I started to feel a dull pain in my right leg, from my ankle to my knee, similar to shin splints. I pressed on anyway. A few days later, I felt sharp pain in my ankle and had to bench myself for a week. Of course, it probably wasn't smart to workout on the concrete floors in my apartment. Then, I looked at my countdown calendar and realized I had 5 months and 3 days until the LA Marathon. My path was clear. I had to ditch the last two weeks of Insanity in order to establish a run base of at least a month before beginning my marathon training program.

On Monday, I officially began training for my first marathon! Everything I've read, all my research suggests a first time marathoner should have at least one year of running three or four times a week under their belt. I'll have 4 or 5 weeks. So...my goal (for the time being) is simply to finish the race. I'm going to train smart, eat well, and avoid injury so I can show up bright and obnoxiously early on March 20th at the starting line at Dodger Stadium. I'm going to listen to my body and let it guide me. If I feel strong during a run and want to go faster, I will. If a joint or muscle starts acting up, I'll back off. I'm going to treat this whole experience with the patience and planning that a first time event requires.

Which also means getting good advice. Don't be stingy, runners. If you have pointers on anything from rest days to race day, please let me know! I'm like a sponge sucking up all the information I can to be the best runner I can be. I've subscribed to Runner's World magazine. I purchased my first two beginning pairs of running shoes so I can alternate and make them last. I'm cross training my core and upper body to build a strong form, as well as doing plenty of stretching and yoga. I still need to gather a hydration belt for long runs, moisture-wicking socks so my feet don't get nasty, gels and fuel for long runs, sport sunglasses to protect my sensitive eyes, and a bucket for ice baths in case of injury.

I'm so excited to test myself physically and see what I'm made of, not only on race day but every day. Every time I speed up, I'll be running faster than ever. Every long run will be my longest run ever. Every time I keep going, I'll be pushing myself just a bit further than I ever have before. I have months of "firsts" ahead of me, hundreds of baby steps until the day I take home my first finisher's medal, and of course, the coveted race day t-shirt. With every run I can feel myself becoming the person I want to be; strong, grounded, successful, and happy. And very, very sweaty.