The Mileage Gets Longer and L O N G E R

Marathon training isn't easy. It begins with a crazy idea to run a marathon that eventually takes on a life of it's own once that decision is made and the race is chosen. One has to find training plan, and stick to that plan. It takes dedication and requires a lot of hard work which includes payment in the form of blood, sweat, and tears. It is challenging physically, but EXTREMELY challenging mentally ... because it's more than just running. Anyone can say that they could run a marathon, but will they actually make it to the finish?

Although I have been a runner for many years, it is only in the last few years that I have become a "serious" runner. I joke that I am in constant, perpetual training as 2010 is the year that the most mileage has been hit every month. With a half-marathon every month, there is no room for slacking off. Put the mileage in and get the work done.

As I really have NO clue as to how to properly train for a marathon, in February, I began researching the option of getting a coach. It's one thing to download a plan and follow it. It's another to have a real, live coach giving me actual direction. I found a few, sent out a couple emails, and choose one which I thought was a good fit. My requirements were direct and to the point: 1. My training plans have to work around my life and my schedule; 2. I need someone to hold me accountable; 3. I need someone to engage me; and 4. I prefer not to have my training plans given to me all at one time. Easy, right? Apparently, too easy. In June, my coach sent me my training plans for my NWM training up until the day of the marathon! Noooo! I can't have plans like that. First off, I have a somewhat confusing working schedule. And secondly, as I perused the *entire* schedule, it caused me to panic as anxiety and self-doubt set in!!! As if that were not bad enough, I don't hear from my coach again. I saw him online a couple times, and I sent him a message that said, "Say, 'Hi, Row., how is your training?'" So he asks. I shouldn't have to ask. You are my coach ... you should be on me everyday!!!

Ah ... but that's old news already. I have a new coach. I have a better coach who gives me a weekly plan, is accessible, answers my questions, quells my fears, helps squash my self doubt, but best of all, holds me accountable for my workouts. I like my new coach. it's only been a month, and I can see that I have improved tremendously since signing on. However, the mileage is getting longer ... and L O N G E R ...

Duh, Row.!!! You are training for a marathon! It is expected that the mileage will get longer, but thinking about it makes me queasy and puts me in a state of discombobulation as my mind spins in circles trying to wrap my head around the idea. It's crazy because I know that I can run a marathon. At this point there are 6 weeks left until NWM!!! SIX! I have to get the mileage in. I need to get the mileage in. I have NO excuses. If I want to do well, if I want to improve ... and I DO ... then I have to suck it up and do the work.

So I run. I follow the instructions and the plan, and I run. Intervals, tempo, mile repeats, long runs, hills. As the mileage increases, so does my need to find the time to run for hours, as well as my need for good, restful sleep, and intake of extra calories. It took me awhile to figure this out as I often found myself exhausted, or in the middle of a hypoglycemic episode at the *wrong* time!

I have been working hard at getting more sleep in ... but it's a little difficult as I am a true nocturnal being. I work at night, and sleep during the day. Makes for a weird training schedule as I don't have "normal" hours. Some nights when I know that I should be sleeping, I'm not. Instead, I'm messin' around on the computer - Facebook or Twitter are the two places that I troll around and lurk the most. Either that or I'm trying to catch up on housework, or whatever else needs to be done. It's so hard for me to just "turn off" and go to sleep.

Eating has been a challenge as well. I've had a few hypogylcemic episodes because of this lack of intake - once was at work, as I was rendering patient care. I know I freaked that patient out as I turned pale, began sweating profusely, and damned near DFO'd (done fell out)! In my head, I know that I need to eat. I know that I need extra calories. I have to remember to feed myself. When I don't do it correctly, I tend to eat all the "wrong" things. I need to get this right more than any other part of my training. This has been the most difficult to correct. I need to learn about slow burning carbs - but I despise oatmeal's texture. Gah! In the meantime, I eat, albeit it's more like force-feeding myself, and I gag the entire time! I have been told that I am "fueling an athlete's body." Therefore, I should feed it right! I know, I know!

I countdown, and I panic at times as I realize that time is moving so quickly towards the day of the marathon ... when I know that I shouldn't. In my mind, I know that I have time. My Coach reels me back down to reality ... Focus on the now ... Focus on the now ... No countdowns. Just focus on what's happening now ... day by day. Look no further than what's at hand. I will eventually get to "D" day, but for today, I will get the work done, and look no further than what's on my schedule for today.

36 days left ... Time to go get the work done, put the mileage in, 'cause these miles ain't gonna run by themselves!!! See you at the finish line!

Giving Thanks

I am not sure that I could possibly thank everyone or everything that has gotten me to this point in my running endeavors, however, I will do the best that I can to give as much thanks for all that I have received.

I am thankful for my friends who run with me - be it virtually via Twitter or FaceBook, or beside me in real life. My friends cheer me on, motivate me, and pick me up when I've had a bad run or a bad day. They make suggestions, answer my questions, listen to my whining, and remind me that I CAN do this, that I GOT this! For those who run with me in real life - thank you for trusting me and allowing me to run with you. I will always do the best that I can to motivate and inspire you, and I would never leave you behind. I am thankful for the time that we can spend together as we run.

I have to give a special "Thank You" shout out to my running buddy, Mac (a.k.a. The MACHine) Donahoo. We just celebrated our one year Runniversary. In 2010 we have run a race together every month. She is the Laverne to my Shirley. She amuses me. She is "real." She is an awesome runner who also happens to be a good wife, mother, friend, RT. She never lets me get down on myself. We live 1.5 hours apart, and train virtually together, but every month we get together and crank out a Half.

I am thankful for my Coach, SpeedySasquatch. Before I even signed on, he answered my silly questions and gave me various suggestions on running. He welcomed me into his team. He is patient with me as I doubt myself, and reminds me that "it's" inside of me and that he will bring out the Bad Ass Runner that he knows dwells in the depths of my being (why don't I know that its there?). I trust the training as I have watched myself transform and improve in the short amount of time that I have been training under him. He is always encouraging, and never lets me get down on myself. I am a believer. He is worth every cent that I pay him. I am so grateful that Ali (@alitherunner), Linda (@MsV1959), and Shannon (@hendy2) suggested him! He ROCKS!

Much mahalo ("Thank you" in Hawaiian) goes out to my friends from Aliamanu Intermediate, and Radford High School where I first learned about comraderie and team work. Mahalo to my first real coach Thomas Chun - I have fond memories of him following us in his mustard colored Toyota as we ran our long distances.

I am thankful to my Chiropractor, Dr. Brian Crawford, who keeps my body in alignment. I love the way it sounds when my spine clicks into place from C1 all the way down to my sacrum as I am manually adjusted. Most people don't care for manual adjustments and avoid the Chiropractor for that reason. I run to my Chiropractor for this reason!!!

I am thankful to God for blessing me with a healthy body that is able to withstand and endure the "beatings" that I bestow upon it ... I believe that it is amazing to be as "old" as I am, and to be able to still run, jump, punch, lift, push, pull, bend ... to have NO health issues, and I have remained healthy, strong, and fit ... My body is one that has carried and delivered four healthy babies, has run thousands of miles, and at times has felt as if it has been put thru the wringer! It is because I can still do all of these things, but more importantly because I can get up in the mornings that I cannot complain. I will not complain.

And last, but not least as this is the most important, I am thankful for my husband and family. They are my rocks. My hubby allows me to train as I need to. He shoulders the brunt of the household duties that I let slide, nurses me when I'm injured, has learned the art of taping, maps out running routes for me, rides alongside of me on my training runs, buys me gadgets, brings me to all of my races, sometimes also running in the shorter distance race ... all without complaint. My boys have accompanied me on my runs - sometimes on bike, sometimes by skateboard. I have yet to get them to actually run beside me, but I'm slowly getting there. They have endured my crankiness as I lose hours of sleep to get out there and run. They know what I need to get out the door. They tag along with me to races and most times they're all there at the finish line waiting for me. I have the best family ever, and I am truly blessed!!!

I lead a very blessed life, and I am truly thankful.