The Countdown has Started

Well, we are a little over 3-1/2 days away from the start of the marathon. I'm feeling pretty excited. It's been one of the few things I've been able to focus on all week. I'm also feeling kind of nervous, but I've decided there isn't anything I can do about it now so I'll just take whatever happens.

I can't believe how far I have come in the past since months. I'll be happy with the journey no matter what happens on Sunday. I've lost 25 pounds since I started training, I've met some new people, and I just feel better when I wake up in the morning. I've managed to stay injury free, except for a freak deal the week of New Year's. Missing the last hard week of training with a foot injury is the only reason I'm feeling any nerves.

I'll spend the next couple of days making sure I get plenty of protein and carbohydrates. I'll also be staying hydrated so I don't have any nutrition issues. Saturday, I'll go get my race packet at the expo and get all my clothes ready. Then, Sunday is race day. I'll be sure to give a race report next week on how everything goes.

Taper Time

Well, all of the hard work is done. I started my three week taper before the marathon today. Over the next three weeks, I will decrease my mileage until the marathon on January 30. Hopefully, my muscles will recover, and I will become stronger. That is the theory behid the taper. Muscle glycogen, enzymes, antioxidants, and hormones are depleted during high mileage training. They will return to normal during this time. Also, muscle damage that occurs during sustained training is also repaired.

I'm going to struggle during the coming weeks with wanting to put in more miles, but I know they will do more harm than good at this point. This evening, I did my 40 minute easy run, and I couldn't believe that was it. Oh well, it's part of the plan.

Two Weeks In, Feeling Great

Yesterday, was exactly two weeks since I started the official training program on July 17. I've only missed one workout. Hopefully, nothing will come up where I have to miss many more.

We have seminars about different topics every week after we run. I also have been reading up on different topics, nutrition, cross training, equipment, etc... I am realizing there is a lot more to this than just running. I already knew that, but this is just reinforcing what I have heard in the past. I'm going to need to start doing some strength training on Mondays and Wednesdays. I am also thinking about getting started on Hammer Nutrition products. These are things I know I will need to do to improve and stay injury free as I continue my training.

Sticking with it...So Far

Well, it's been a week and a half since I started running again. I haven't missed a day yet, running on MWFS. I've felt good and haven't been sore or fatigued. I'm just concentrating on getting a little bit of a base established before I get into the higher mileage. I've been running anywhere from 2.5 to 3.25 miles each time out. I've been concentrating on not starting out too fast and running negative splits. So far, so good. We'll see if I can keep it up until the marathon at the end of January.

I'm debating if I should join Pearland Fit. Pearland Fit is a training program with a local group that provides coaching and workouts here locally. It costs another $120 in addition to the marathon entry fee. I know last time I ran a marathon, I seriously lacked motivation to do the longer runs on my own. We'll see what I decide.