In just over two weeks, I will be starting my official, 18-week, Hal Higdon marathon training plan.
I am starting to realize I don't quite have my head wrapped around what that will all entail or what those long runs are going to feel like ....
- The furthest I have ran to date is 13.1 miles. What will 15, 20, and 26.2 feel like?
- How will I get through these first few weeks (hopefully not months) of Minnesota winter/spring?!!?
- I haven't really figured out what fueling during a run consists of. I am not sure where to start in my process of figuring it out. During my half-marathon training, I have relied on pre-run fueling, Gatorade, and a few Gatorade chews. I don't think that is going to cut it.
- I am worried about how slowly my shoes seem to be breaking in.
- I am stressed because I have been so out of routine, and am hoping I can adjust to needing to be on. And am looking forward to it.
(can't wait for that feeling!)I am ready to take this on, and yet the unknown is starting to get to me. I guess that is why I made sure to register in September.
Back then the starting date of February 17 seemed so far off and I wasn't thinking about these unknowns. If I had been, I don't know if I would have followed through with hitting "submit" at the bottom of that registration page!
I think it is just time to get started.
1 comment:
Marathon training is daunting and fun all at the same time. Make your plan and stick to it best you can. The important runs are the long runs, these are where you test out fueling, clothing, motivation, and strategy. I remember my long runs as they got progressively longer (I enjoyed blogging about them very much and truth be told I like going back and reading about them) SO funny how your outlook changes as you reach each of the milestones, the 1/2 marathon, the 15 mile run the 20 mile run, and all the distances in between. Enjoy the journey is my best words of wisdom, the pay off as you cross that marathon finish line for the first time is amazing.
Fueling I fuel with GU or GU chomps, chomps more now in the colder weather as they are easier for me to deal with, and I take 2 chops every 3 miles or so. Sometimes I can just tell when I need some fuel other times I try and keep on a schedule to keep ahead of that feeling I know I get when I am running out of energy.
Hope this helps. Enjoy the journey, I'll do my best to keep up with your training!
Post a Comment