Marathon Training. Yeah, Right!

At the beginning of this journey, I agreed to do everything Abby did. Whatever classes she offered, I'd be a participant. THEN the Marathon Training Program came into existence. What??

Refer back to my "I'm in Trouble" post for more about my feelings on all this.

Anyway, after Abby and I talked about my fears and concerns and cleared the air some, I showed up for my first "Marathon Training" session. The "marathon"ers were to run eight miles, the "half-marathoners" six miles and me... I got a special deal of only four miles. And I didn't have to run. I just had to do it.

7:15 on a Saturday morning. Thirty-six degrees outside. Walking four miles. Yep, those things are exactly what motivate me. Just what I want to do... be outside, early, in cold weather, exercising. But... I showed up.

We all set off at the same time, from the same place. Very quickly, we started spacing out. Normal, actually... we're all different; different levels, different goals, different everything. I was content, though. I was bundled up enough to stay warm, so I just worried about Self. Didn't bring my iPod, so it was just me and the brisk cool air. 

I vaguely knew the route in my head, but knew it was going to take me down a road I'd never been before. That was kind of exciting, seeing something new but not having a concept as to where I was or how much further until.... That part was a little scary, actually.

I thought a lot. So many different things ran through my head. Lots of daydreaming, planning, list-making. I sang to myself a little. No one was around to hear me. It was going pretty well. Once I warmed up a little, I jogged some. Not too much, though. I was still in opposition to this whole thing. At one point on the route, I realized I wasn't sure whether I should turn left or right. With no sign of anyone in front of me, what was I to do? Trust my gut. Left. I was right! Around Smith's Landscaping and Logan's, I started to think to myself that maybe I'd turn around at Heritage and head on back. That was almost halfway. I could shave a little of the route and be back a couple minutes earlier. Who would know the difference?

Abby would. Abby my trainer. Abby the Cop. Abby would be at the hospital track waiting for me. She'd be there just to make sure I didn't cheat. She'd be there to check on me, to make sure I wasn't dead. She'd be there.

She wasn't there.

I went all the way to the half-way point without cheating one bit and she wasn't there. Dammit. So, I felt like Forrest Gump. I got to where I was going, so I turned around and went back.

Realizing I was half-way through, I knew I could do it. I could begin to think about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I was feeling pretty confident and good about myself. And I wasn't regretting the time or the temperature anymore. I was invigorated. Back around Smith's Landscaping, Evan and Jake whizzed past me. Evan looked like he was just out playing around... he's amazing! Jake was pretty impressive as well.

Was almost back to the starting point and I hear my name. Brandy was coming up behind me. Have I mentioned that I really don't want to like her? She's so cute and tiny and so... runny! I've gotten to know Brandy a little more the last couple of weeks and I really like her... a lot. Even though I don't want to. I love teasing her about that! :)

An hour and ten minutes after I began, I was back at my starting point. And I felt good. Not physically, so much, but mentally, I really felt great about it.

I headed to the Farmer's Market for healthy food. 

Collard Greens and Jerusalem Artichokes

Then I went to the Waffle House for not so healthy food. Abby, Evan and Brandy joined Nickey and me after their runs. We had a great time and it made the time, temperature and effort exerted all worth it!

Post-Run Nutrition at the Waffle House!