Apparently I have a death wish. I was so inspired the last few weeks by my new friends down south that I met on my trip. By my step-mom who can take weeks off at a time and make a back to back race weekend look easy right after. By all of my many friends who raced Chicago or PDX over the weekend. (btw Jess. CONGRATS ON BEING A MARATHONER!! You rocked it!) By my many other friends who are on the tail end of their NYC Marathon Training.
I took a dive right into crazy land. I have gone bananas. Lost my marbles entirely.
Yeah, I registered for the Austin Marathon. Which, is exactly 19 weeks from yesterday….. *GULP* Yeah, that means I’m diving straight into marathon training.. TODAY.
But weren’t you going to run Flying Pig in May as your first full?
Yeah, that was my plan… However when Z and I split up and my life fell apart.. I quickly decided to move to Austin. Running my first full in a city I will have just recently moved to, makes so much more sense. A) Moving across the country is expensive, so is traveling for destination races. (money really SHOULD grow on trees.. sigh) B) What a great way to get to know your new city, right?! Running 26.2 miles of it…. I think so. C) The friendly folks with The Flying Pig are letting me defer to next year… When I will have not just lost tons of money due to moving and a wedding that never happened. Heh. Flying Pig is still my #1 must run marathon, but financially and logistically, Austin makes more sense for 2013.
On top of that, I really can’t think of a better way to say good-bye to Jamestown. WNY is absolutely miserable in so many ways, but the one thing it is NOT lacking is charm, and beauty. It is absolutely gorgeous in the hilly amish country not too far from town. The winding roads, the trees, that right now are brilliant shades of color. It will be the perfect way to close this chapter.
However I am officially panicking, now. I have 19 weeks…. I am going to use the Hal Hidgon Novice 1 Marathon Plan which is an 18 week plan, so it isn’t like I’m pushing the envelope or anything. It works out perfectly. It’s sort of scary how well it lines up with my current training, actually... The week I am supposed to run 12 miles will be the weekend of Rock n Roll San Antonio half.
It’s like it was meant to be.
But I’m still trembling in my shoes and freak out a bit when I actually sit and think about what I’ve committed myself to…
I’ve been repeating that over and over in my head.
What I DO Know:
- Yes, Austin is known to have a fairly hilly course. However having just moved from Maryland (hilllllllll central), the hills of WNY, and the fact that I’ll be running IN Austin for the last several long runs, I’ll be ready for it. My first half was insanely hilly. Apparently I’m retarded like that.
- I don’t have any real time goals. Finishing injury-free is my only goal as of now. This could change further into training though. I’m perfectly okay with the fact that it’s going to be a comically slow finish time.
- I have 19 weeks to say my good-byes to everyone, as I will most likely die (I joke!)
- This is definitely going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Running doesn’t come as easy to me as it does to a lot of others out there. I have to work really hard at it, every time I hit the pavement.
Dream it. Believe it. Achieve it.
Marathoners — How far in advance before training did you register for your first full? What advice do you have to get me to that finish line February 17?
Good luck! I’m still chasing my marathon dream after suffering a knee injury during my training from my first. While I can’t say I have an advice for the actual race, I fully learned to respect the marathon distance. It’s NO JOKE! Cross train, strength train, and stretch and you’ll get there!
I respect (AND FEAR) that marathon distance. haha Though I don’t think we can fullllly respect it until we run it! eeeee!!
Ahhh I’m so excited for you! I can’t wait to follow your progress on here!
Thank you!!
well, maybe you’ve gone bananas, but hey! bananas are good for you, right?! lol! just like erin, i will be super excited to track your progress!!!! you can do it! spa love!
bahaha. I’ll try to look it that way ;P
Good bananas! Good luck Char! You will totally rock this!
eeeeek! Thanks
Take care of and listen to your body! I got shin splints right at the beginning of my training for marine corps and had to take 2 weeks off. It was too much too soon and really had to bite off a piece of that humble pie…now with anything I’m being easy on myself. My goal isn’t a time-specific goal anymore, I just want to finish injury-free! I’m only a few weeks away now!!
EEEEEE!! You are SO SO Close! You are going to rock it though, I know it! I’m definitely going to listen to my body, and if need be I have no problem tweaking my training for what works for ME. Everyone is so different with this stuff!
How exciting! Good luck with your training!!!!!!!
WOOHOO SO EXCITED FOR YOU!! You can totally do it! 19 weeks? You got this in the bag!
I pretty much did the same thing! I haven’t registered for my marathon yet, but I had to start my 20 week training plan immediately upon deciding I was going to run it. Congrats for taking the plunge! My biggest piece of advice is to listen to your body. My plan wants me to run quite a bit in the beginning and I’m just not quite there, so I’m cross-training and making sure to let my legs recover.
Listening to our bodies is key! I have learned that the hard way already this year. (didnt do that so much with my last half-marathon training. heh. Darn stubborn runners)
what marathon are you training for?
Galveston Marathon in January is the plan!
Yes, yes that does seem a little crazy. But that is what I expect from you because life is more fun if you live it a little crazy.
You are going to do awesome!
bahaha. Thanks betsy <3
Good luck with your training! Just have fun with it.
I’ve had to talk myself out of numerous races lately. The rush of registering is hard to overcome! haha
it really is hard to control. my poor bank account :-/ lol
Sounds like a lot of fun!!! It sounds like a great way to transition into a new part of your life!!
Wow!! That is amazing and I give you so much credit!! I just ran my first half marathon this past weekend and would love to think that there is a full marathon in my future! I’m definitely going to be using you as inspiration! You got this! Stay focused and best of luck
Thank you Gina!!
You have a solid base, and really the first 4-6 weeks of marathon training are just about building that base a little bit. Don’t get too comfy with Hal, though. Do what feels right and make adjustments along the way.
Oh I’m sure I’ll be tweaking a LOT along the way. But Hal is a good starting point since I’ve never put together a marathon training plan before
how exciting! cant wait to follow your training!
itsaharleyyylife.com
How exciting! I am thinking about signing up for my first marathon, too. Can’t wait to follow your training. Hope you have a lot of fun and enjoy the experience!
Eh, most marathoners are bananas anyways, right?? lol You’re just a normal banana.
Good luck girlfriend, and you know I’ll be here rootin’ for ya!
This is so exciting! And I think such an amazing next step. Get to know your city and take pride in a new journey there all about your strength and endurance.
Sign up for Austin Runners Club!! Best $30 you will ever spend. They have long runs every weekend, and some are done ON THE COURSE. No better way to prepare for a race then know the course and what you’ll be working with come race day! I’m still on the fence whether I’m running the half or full – either way it’s an awesome race (I’ve run the half the past few years) and you will LOVE it. You’ll fall in love with Austin all over again.
THANK YOU! this is great info. I’ve been looking up various run groups in ATX online but didn’t know what was the best bang for the buck
You can do this. You’ll see the milage on your calendar and you’ll just run it. Week after week, you’ll impress yourself with your own commitment and before you know it, the finish line will be in sight and you’ll sprint past it.
I signed up for my first marathon about six months before running it. I was dating someone who was full of can’ts – he told me I could never run a half marathon and I did it. He told me I could never run a full marathon and I did that too. Then he cheated on me with my best friend and told me I wouldn’t break up with him over it. I did. Running helped me get ahold of my life, and I’m a firm believer that if you just trust in it, it’ll take you where you need to go. Believe in the marathon, sister!
oh girl!!!! You just filled me with so much inspiration! Running really has helped me get a grasp on my life this past… well entire year really! It’s amazing what it can do to our spirits
xoxo