Next Saturday on November 7, I will undertake my greatest challenge yet, a full 26.2 mile marathon. Ok, when I word it like that I become even more nervous!

Why am I nervous? Well let’s just say training did not go as planned. Unfortunately I spent some time under medical restricted guidelines this summer that left my running to around 10 miles total between August and mid October. Last Saturday I managed to run the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon in Louisville. Although this was not my greatest performance, I did not feel fabulous through most of it and finished about 17 minutes slower than my PR in the half distance. I felt strong by the finish and knew that it was my training and strength conditioning prior to my surgery that allowed for me to push through a half with no training and feel good.

Now, about that full. I completely understand the full and half are two very different beasts. I think this is why I am so nervous. I have been planning this race for a year and signed up on New Years Day at an incredible $65 discount price. My cousin is running this same race as his first full, I was finally gaining on his times when all of this fell apart.

So, here is my strategy. Finish. The cutoff is 6:30:00, or a 15 minute mile pace. I plan on using almost all of that.

I’ll keep you posted…

Back in July I had an injury on my neck that resulted in stitches. The cut was deep so I had to let my neck muscles heal which cut my running instantaneously. I logged less than 10 miles in that month and they were slow, painful miles. Although tonight’s 5k involved walking and hurt when breathing, I was very happy with a sub 28 minute 5k. 

I have right at 9 weeks until my first marathon, which is worrisome for me. I have reevaluated my goal of 4:17:00 to 4:45:00 in light of unplanned training cut. I’m pushing through and want to cross that finish line so bad. 

My apologies for not writing more. The end of summer has been full of work and play. We took a family vacation before school started and trying to stay afloat is often at the loss of other things. I have some exciting things coming this week so stay tuned. 

Oh, don’t forget #BibChat on Tuesday night at 9PM ET. 

This past week’s #bibchat was sponsored by Justin’s and focused on “Taking Risks”. As a runner, it seems risks are not only inevitable but a requirement. It is risking to lace up your shoes and run down the road. It is equally risky to put your body through the rigors of training for and running a marathon. Different people take risks differently, some prepare meticulously and lower the risks, while others go out full steam ahead and seem to remember how risky it was when it is to late (insert finger pointing to myself!). Over the past two years I have learned a great deal about running, stretching, cross-training, and resting. Once day I may even figure out the risks side of it too, but until then, each day is a new risk. I am ok with that, without risk, nothing can be earned. Where would we be as a nation if no one risked anything? The Fore Fathers would not have challenged to King to declare independence, the assembly line would not have revolutionized the industrial process, and runners would be lazy and fat. 

What are some risk you take as a runner? 

Im not going to write anything long or revolutionary here. Simply wanted to say that I am thankful to live in America and for all of the military who risk their lives afar along with the first responders who risks theirs at home. Happy Birthday America.  

Sorry for the lack of posting. It has been a very hectic “off” season. I will be updating this week!