I’m training for a marathon. I’ve never run a marathon before, so there is certainly some intimidation in those words for me. Why this? Why now? Good questions, both. I’m doing it now because I’m at an age where complacency leads to sedentariness. I’ll find it much easier to persist and persevere in working out if I’m working toward a significant goal. I’m doing the marathon because it is a very significant challenge, will require a lot of work, and will be an achievement which I think I will always remember. I’m not ever going to bench press 400 pounds. I’m not going to run a 4.2 second 40. I’m not going to win Wimbledon. I’m not going to shoot 68 on Bethpage Black. But I can, and I intend to, discipline my body and mind to train until I run 26.2 miles.
I am approaching this much as I do most things upon which I embark: as a student. I know that there are many people who have accomplished similar goals in running, so as I have opportunity I am learning from them. They may be clerks in running and fitness stores, or they may be authors. I will take in ideas, and seek to sort out the profitable ones from the many. There are quite a number of philosophies where preparation for your first marathon is concerned. Many are quite similar, while a few are novel in some way.
I’m pretty well settled on the specific training program I will follow as far as when I run, how far I run on a given day, and what days I rest. It is one developed by Hal Higdon for the novice marathoner.
The majority of my posts here will be run summaries, but I will periodically post something in the vein of this piece. Fair warning: I’m keeping this particular blog primarily for my own reference. If someone else finds it interesting, so much the better, but I am chiefly interested in capturing my thoughts and experiences in preparing for this marathon.
{ 0 comments }