retrospective

I don't know why I got myself into this marathon thing. I've been running for less than a year continuously, with few exceptions, and haven't even finished a 5k since about 2003.

Alot of it comes from Molly, our overly energetic pit bull, whom we thought would be calmer if she got more exercise (ha) so I started running instead of walking her. It started with running two blocks and walking one, then built up to 5k a day, then stretched to 5 miles. I saw how quickly what was a hard distance became easy, and wanted to go farther. Ben and I joined Holly to watch the Chicago Marathon, and I decided I wanted to do that. I was turning 30, after all, and that's what you do when you're 30. I didn't have some deep life-goal reason to do it. And it wasn't to lose weight either- that was already happening.

Part of this is how I work best on a plan. Tell me what to do, I'll do it. It's much easier to get up at 5:45am on a snowy dark morning when there's something in writing you're supposed to do. I knew if it was in writing I was likely to get there. It was motivating.

The first 10 weeks were not that big a deal. In the time between registering for the marathon and starting the training plan, I made it my goal to run a few 10-milers to get a sense of the long runs. The only thing that made it hard was Chicago's Worst Winter Ever, and even 10 miles in 15 below were insane. I learned to layer, got tough, and only ran 5 miles total on the treadmill. Until I hit the 12 mile mark, it was more about getting out of bed and outdoors than anything.

I also learned the hard way that you can't go from 25 to zero to 25. Two weeks off in the middle of the plan for a vacation, then jumping right back into week 11 was what pushed me too far and injured my foot. They say you shouldn't add more than 10% of your mileage in any given week, and I went 0-0-26. Duh.

Anyway, those last few weeks were hard. The injury and missed runs screwed with my head. My 14 and 16 mile runs were rough and I was dreading the 18 and 20. I spent Friday nights sitting on the couch planning routes and filling bottles. I learned that those long runs were far better when I had no plans for the whole day Saturday and could try to enjoy them. I took it slow, focusing on running through whatever I encountered and getting the miles done.

I didn't realize that in retrospect I was running too slow and being too relaxed about things. Everyone will tell you "don't worry about time, just get to the finish line." But the thing is, I know I can run faster than this. I just haven't pushed my pace on long runs at all, and it's making pacing for race day really frustrating. Next time I train (if there is a next time) for a marathon, I'll have a pace goal for long runs that's just a little off my marathon race pace, and stick with it. I had a great run for my 20-miler, but I was running 12:30 miles. I could have pushed myself to 11:30's, gotten home tired instead of happy, and been far more confident about my 5:00 marathon goal.

the taper was a welcome gift, but with some costs. By the end of my 40-mile week, I was pretty burned out, tired out, cranky, and in need of a break. The taper brought a break, but it also brought other things- I had to re-learn how to eat less, I had to get serious about washing my hands and avoiding sick people, and I had to learn how not to run. The time on the couch, that I'm liking. The rest, it's just hard to get used to.

folks say you "learn something about yourself" in the process of first-marathon training that you don't get again. i don't know what it would be. i guess i learned how to make time to do something I want to, and how to shut off my brain and just go. nothing transcendental though.

so, here we are. we fly to Oregon tomorrow, pick up my race bib, and hopefully get some sleep before Sunday's race. I want a 5:00, I'll be happy under 5:15, I'll be ok under 5:30. anything higher than that and you might not want to talk to me next week. and my plan for next week: a half maratho training program that involves speedwork. I really want to leave 10:00+ miles behind.

and a sincere thank-you to anyone who asked how it's going, commented here, emailed me, gave me tips, or just reminded me that it's almost over. Hal's forum on Training Peaks and the FirstTimeMarathoners on Runner's World were the running partners I needed. And, of course, Molly, the reason I run.