Up until now I have been posting blogs on MySpace and emailing them out to friends and relatives, but I thought that my marathon journal deserved a forum all its own. 

For those who are peeking and don't know me, I'm training for my first marathon, the LA Marathon on March 2, 2008.  It's something I've wanted to do for a long time and I'm finally committed to not only running this one to completion, but to do it with joy every step of the way and continue to run marathons all over the world.  What a fabulous way to exceed your own expectations of limitation, see the world, get healthy, fit and strong and STAY that way and show myself beyond a shadow of a doubt that I can do anything I set my mind to.  

I have a deep belief in the unlimitedness of being, and that in the illuminated mind, all things are possible. So for my own reference, the interest of friends and family and for anyone else who's curious, this is my record of the journey from an out of shape sporadic jogger to a marathon runner.

My program comes from Hal Higdon, a legend in the marathon training community.  I've heard of programs that get people from total beginner to marathon runner in 6 months by doing 2, 30-minute runs during the week and one long run each weekend.  This program is a bit more intense than that, but I'm combining Higdon's and the easier approach as needed.  The mainstay of all progams is the weekend long run, which conditions your body to run farther and longer than it's accustomed to, and that's the most important part.  Higdon's system does 3 runs during the week that are based on mileage, not minutes.  For example, this week I run 3 miles Tues/Wed/Thurs, then do 6 on Sunday.  Last week, I substituted one of the 3 milers with a 30-minute run to make it a bit easier.  I'm in my 4th week of a 5 month program, and to be honest I started Higdon's program for novices on the 10 week point, since I had been running a bit and doing Kundalini yoga already and I did't have enough time between then and the big day to start at his week 1 point.

So here I am, sharing the journey and reminding myself periodically that I AM, in fact, a Goddess.   

I knew it all along! ;)

Last night, my 3 mile run was fabulous. I even kicked it up a notch and ran a bit faster (just a bit) and ran the last 5 minutes just a bit faster than that as well.  I know I have time, but I've been running too slow for my liking and during these "easy" runs I want to get stronger and faster. With only one day off between the long run last week (6 miles) and yesterday's 3 miler, I was surprised at how good I felt. By taking Monday and doing absolutely NOTHING, I recovered beautifully and came back stronger than before that day.  Amazing how simplicity is really the key to it all.  

Tonight I have another 3 mile run, though I'll see how I feel and if I need to run a 30 minute instead, so be it! I'm going to add some hill repeaters by way of my treadmill incline (sprints) soon as well. That's a great way to increase leg strength, train the heart to recover faster and increase speed.  But I'm reigning in my usual Aries tendency to go too fast too soon...this is all about the long haul and life changes so I'm hoping my 4 planets in Taurus give me some patience and tenacity.

I do treadmill runs during the week because by the time I get home it's dark and I don't feel comfortable running alone in the dark.  The running clubs in the area all start when I'm still at work, so I'm doing this solo, but that's ok, I'm kind of a solo gal. I'll take my long runs out to Griffith Park and such soon.  To be totally honest, I haven't yet out of vanity. I'd like to feel a bit stronger and in better shape before I take it to the streets, but I will.  I'm already seeing big changes. Now a 30 minute run seems so easy and in the beginning just getting 10 or 15 minutes straight was a chore.  My weekend long run was almost 90 minutes, and I took 2 30-second walk breaks in all so I'm progressing nicely.  

I'm just grateful for my treadmill (the best gift I've ever bought myself), my Asics shoes, Vitamin Water, and E-gel (made without corn syrup and with electrolytes).  Some inspirational viewings of The Matrix while running certainly don't hurt either.  Though truth be told, I'd rather be Neo than Trinity, as cool as she is...he gets to do ALL the cool stuff.

Physically, I'd like to see some major changes and I know this training is doing that, but I'm adding in Pilates mat work at home as well.  I'm abouta size 8 right now but I feel best when I'm a 4.  I don't weigh myself or own a scale - a bulimic past makes that a bad idea.  Sizes I can handle. Scales freak me out until I'm back down. But I also have visions of one day being a 50+ mile per week runner. I want this to be a part of my life for the rest of this life. 

Big goals, right?

Noooooo problem. ;)