I read once that the best failures make the best stories… let’s see if that’s true…
My Rock n’ Roll adventure really began last November when I decided to start training for my second marathon while raising funds once again for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As a current Team in Training mentor, it was easy to brave the winter with my teammates and despite several bouts of illnesses along the way, I still hit all of my long runs and most of my strength training days and felt great doing it.
2 days… 2 days… 2 days…
With just a week to go before my first marathon last October, I wrote of my Marathon Mind because I really, really had to. It was the first time I wrote a post purely to vent. The hamster spinning that wheel inside my brain was just too hard to ignore- that sucker couldn’t, wouldn’t and didn’t stop: marathon, marathon, marathon, MARATHON!!! And now, with just 4 days to go until marathon #2, my hamster seems to also be tapering… nervousness and panic have now been replaced with confidence and excitement.
My kids’ Sensei giving running advice whether he realizes it or not!
I believe I have finally achieved balance, a sort of a peace, about my marathon training and impending 26.2. Sure, my stomach still leaps into my chest and I feel the urge to pee every time I think about Sunday’s race but those feelings are, this time around, met with a steady mind- I have the right attitude and I am more than focused on my goal.
… I’ve got my eye on you…
Somehow my phone died in the middle of the night, so my alarm did not go off this morning and I missed my 6 mile easy run. <sigh> I’ve got 10 days to go until the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon and even though I am tapering (and sleeping in this morning was probably a GOOD thing), I was still pretty disappointed that I missed my run.
Missing one easy run at this point is really not a big deal; however, I realize that what I do and don’t do in these next 10 days will have a tremendous effect on the outcome of my race. There are several other ways in which one (that is ME) could completely and totally ruin a hard-earned taper.
I’ve fallen behind blogging about training for my second marathon but I’ve been totally keeping up with my plan and 26.2 #2 is now just 3 weeks away! <gulp> This past Saturday was our final long run of 20 miles (which I had to cut short at 18) and leading up to it, I was nervous but hopeful and oh so ready to prove to myself that I could do it. And you know what? I did it. And it was truly amazing.
If you know me or if you’ve been following my blog, you know that I completed my first marathon, the Nike Women’s Marathon, in October 2011 with Team in Training while raising close to $3000 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It was such an amazing experience that I decided to stay with TNT and attempt my second 26.2 at the Oakland Running Festival this coming March.
A girl reserves the right to change her mind, of course, and feeling a bit burned out from running following the marathon, decided to put off my second attempt at 26.2 until June 3rd, and will be running the San Diego Rock n’ Roll marathon instead.
It’s Officially Auction Time!!!
I joined Team in Training last May to help raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and ran my first marathon, the Nike Women’s Marathon on October 16th. It was such an amazingly fulfilling experience, I became more than dedicated to the cause and to all the wonderful people and honorees I met along the way. Not wanting to quit, I have decided to train for another marathon with TNT and will be running in the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon on June 3rd. In order to run my second 26.2, I have pledged to raise $2250 for the cause and train six days a week from now until the race in order to help find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. Continue reading
It happened again… I fell off the running wagon. Yesterday was the first time my sneakers hit the pavement in 9 days. 9 whole days. Wow. I’m sure that begs the question, “Why?” and I can answer that in just one word: vacation.
Even though I was leaving for Utah on a Thursday, I started celebrating my impending 4-blissful-days-in-the-snow-no-hubby-no-kids-adventure that Tuesday. Somewhat akin to “senioritis” my mind was mentally already on the trip, already in Utah, happily relaxing by the fire. So no, I did not go to the gym on Wednesday nor did I go to track that Thursday before my departure. Figured I “needed” the rest. Figured I earned that “down time”. Figured packing for the snow was “hard” enough. (And I don’t even ski!)
I'm a pro at resting!
Happy New Year, blogosphere! What a year it’s been- I’m really glad to be done with 2011! 2011 was not the best year for me personally, I admit, but my running “career” was greatly advanced, highlighted by completing my first marathon. Going into 2012, I aim to complete a second marathon.
If you have been following, you know that I originally planned to run the Oakland Marathon; however, a girl reserves the right to change her mind! And I have. My goal is now the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon in June and I will be fundraising for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society once again to get there.
I've got you in my sights, San Diego!