Marathon Mania

26.2 or bust! This is the year I run my first (note the inherent optimism in that statement) marathon. December 8th, Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The same place I ran my half-marathon in December. That course is as flat as a pancake and I'm going to assume last year's 25 degree start weather was an abnormality (there's that optimism again).

The weather is turning nice and I'm itching to get outside and get running. I went to a local training store 's online site and printed off the marathon training schedule for beginners. July 22nd marks 20 weeks out from the week of the marathon and the day the "formal" training begins. Of course, I'll be huffing and puffing around town well before then. I want to run a 5k and 10k this spring.  Then I'll run a 1/2 marathon in October.

Funny how perspective changes. Last year all I could think was, "My God, I hope I can make it 13.1 miles without dying." Now it's "Oh, 13.1. That will be a nice little pre-marathon jog." Like there's no worries!

I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and start driving into Greensboro this summer to run. My little town is just not scenic or fun to around. I can only summon so much enthusiasm to circle the K-Mart parking lot yet again. Parks and water and birds and nature are required for long runs. I hate driving 40 minutes to run for an hour, but I think that's what it's going to take.

I'm acting as if I'll make this marathon with no problem, but in truth I am worried. That's a long damn way to run. And I am not the most consistent runner. If it's raining or cold or Mars isn't aligned with Pluto, I can be inclined to blow it off. I think I like the idea of being a marathon runner more than I might like it in practice. But I'm going to do it! Last year I watched an 80-year old woman cross the marathon finish line. That pretty much kills any lame excuse I might be able to come up with.

Not that I won't try. CHEERS to everyone!