As Marathon Training Approaches

In December, come hell or high water, I am going to run my first marathon.

2020 was supposed to be the year I ran a marathon but with everything else going on it was low on my priority list. Even with this year still throwing me some curve balls (Thanks COVID). I am more determined than ever to run. This will be the last year in my 20’s and with my lofty goal of one day running an OTQ it is time to tackle the distance that both excites and scares the shit out of me.

I had planned to be in tip top half marathon shape, I had planned to go into my training cycle strong and confident, and I hadn’t planned on getting COVID. But that’s how training goes, everything you planned on rarely happens. It’s one of the hard facts about running that we all have to learn to be uncomfortably comfortable with. I think it helps us stay humble and reminds us to enjoy the process.

Even though I won’t be going into the training cycle how I wanted I’m going in with a new appreciation and outlook. With my big goals I can often get clouded on the next step and can lose the clarity that this is a journey. I’m patently building back with every run, every workout and every day. I know I’m not where I wanted to be, but I’m also hoping that my fitness level and my overall health will give me a leg up and enable me to get back to where I was.

I think with my training cycle happening it actually gives me a good goal to focus on. It’s all new, uncharted and quite scary to be honest. It gives me a goal to focus on and something to work towards.

I’ve been here before in regards to uncharted territory. From my first run, my first race and charging through new distances---this sport always keeps me on my toes. Everytime I go further and faster than I thought possible. I’ve become comfortable that my body can do amazing and hard things. I trust myself to know when to push and when not to push and I’ve learned that all I can do is my best.

I know that this cycle will have a lot of highs and lows. But for now I am smiling and excited to have that to look forward to.

Whatever happens, I know I will run.