My name is Laura, I've been running all my life. I grew up running with my dad at local 5km and 10km road races. I've always had an inner urge to run a marathon. Why? a few reasons, one being my dad has run over 26 of them and if he can do it at 67 years old than at the ripe age of 31 I should be able to do it too, secondly I think it will be a great thing to experience running a marathon with my dad and finally well it's healthy to exercise and training for the marathon will get me in great shape for the ski season.
So I've decided to start this blog for me, to keep me honest and dedicated to the goal at hand. And I've also started this blog for my dad, so he can read it afterward and see how much he has positively impacted my life and how much I look up to him.
Day 1
Woke up at 7:15am this morning, rolled over as most of do and talked myself out of bed. 20mins later I actually got out of bed. I'm a morning runner, don't get that confused with morning person! My family will tell you that is far from the truth. But I have to run in the morning because if I don't do it right in the morning I know once I start my day I will not do it later. So, the routine goes like this crawl out to bed, brush teeth, dress put shoes on and leave the house. I'm actually still half a sleep when I hit the pavement. But I quickly wake up in the first few steps.
This morning was a beautiful day to start a running program. I am very hopeful. I'm following Tom Flemming's Training Program for a 26 week intermediate level marathon. I've had this book 'The New York Road Runners Club Complete Book of Running and Fitness' on my book shelf for probably 8 years now. I think I actually got it from my father's library on a visit home. Dad's always a great resource for book that I like :) Thanks Dad.
Anyway, in this book there is a fully laid out plan of how to prepare for a marathon in 26 weeks. So I called Dad last night and told him about my interest and goal of running a marathon with him this fall. He was encouraging as usual but I could hear the dought in his voice. That's all I need to prove to him I can do this and I will work hard to achieve this goal to run with him in an upcoming Marathon in the fall. We talked about a couple marathons we could participate in, like the Saint John Marathon but that is in August, to soon. The Ottawa Marathon but it's next month, definitely not! Then I remembered having worked on the founding board of directors for the PEI Marathon back in 2004, and this marathon is held in mid October. Dad agreed this would be a perfect time to run. It will also be a great opportunity to return to the island and run the marathon I helped build.
Today's run started out great. I had my Garmin Forerunner 301 with me and started out the driveway. What is the first thing I run into...construction workers. Well you guessed it, 5 or 6 guys standing off to the side of the road almost pulled the muscles in their necks they turned so fast. I got the node, the good morning and as I run past them you can assure they did go right back to work...I chuckled to myself and said 'and this is Day 1 of 182, can't wait to see what other experiences I will have'
Today I was scheduled for a 3 mile easy run. I completed a 3.12mi in 33:09, lap pace of 10:36, burned 438cal. Not bad for Day one. I did my stretching before and after and had my Extreme Isolate 97 protein drink and now I'm eating a can of tuna.
I don't call myself a running expert at all, especially with my minimal knowledge in health, nutrition, long distance running, weight training, maintenance etc. I will do my best and try to incorporate as many good practices into this training. If any of you have suggestions or comments please share. Not to mention I will need lots of encouragement.
Till tomorrow...
About Me
- Laura Booker
- The daughter of an avid runner, is determined to run a marathon with her Dad who is now 67. Time is a tickin' and it's time for me to get in shape so I reach the finish line along side my mentor!
Hi Laura, well that's a perfect start for this week only run the 3 miles for this week and do a 4 mile at the end of your week. ( preferably Sat. or Sun. ) Then back to 3 miles for next week only incorporate a slow easy 3 mile Monday at 10.13/mi. Then Tuesday do a tempo run ( run a 8 min mile all the way ) that will be fast enough for this week. But remember to do easy again on Wed. and tempo again on Thurs, etc. until Sat. or Sun and then do your long run of 5 miles this second week. Each week just add one extra mile to what you did the week before,up to 20 miles, no more even if you feel real good.
ReplyDeleteBy the way you did scare me a bit when you didn't mention your stretch before you hit the road this morning. But I see you redeemed yourself later in your comments. Good girl.
Now, the hard part. I will never say another word about you starting and not finishing but I do know the momentous discipline and courage it takes to train for a marathon. So here is the best advice I can share with you and it should cement your ability to succeed in this very brave adventure ahead; Remember this," if you can force yourself to stay on course for just 21 days " than you are home to the races. The rest is a cake walk. But I have to tell you that there will be many days in that first 21 that your brain will say to you, " Laura are you crazy, you don't have to do this."
Now, one last thing. When you get up and ready to stretch, take a glass of water so it can settle before you hit the road. Your stretching should only take about 10 minutes. When you get up to 8 miles (down the road) you should take two glass of water.
Good luck,
Yours in running,
Dad