Who knew . . . I was an explorer?
It has been a while since I have mentioned the marathon I am training to run at the end of June. With just a month and a half left it is starting to take over my life but yet there isn't much to talk about other than I run alot, I now have the milage around Central Park memorized, and I have worn holes in every pair of socks I own.
Today I recieved these words of encouragement by email from my online trainer (aka a free web tool that provides training schedules for people training for 10ks, half marathons and full marathons, which includes daily reminder email).
Coach's Notes:
Unknown territory: By now many of your long runs may be personal records. If this was your first marathon training program you may have been running farther than you've ever run week after week. You've been an explorer in unknown territory. You've boldly gone where you've never gone before, and you've not only survived but you've gotten stronger. You have become what you set out to be. A long distance athlete.
Yes this sounds a bit cheesy but after running 16 miles this sounds inspirational! I am an explorer! My latest expeditions include visits to Battery Park, Central Park, Riverside Park, GW Bridge, Jersey and more loops around Central Park. I am gaining so much more than just a good work out and a bit of site seeing. I learned on my last run that I don't like the shorts I was wearing and will not be wearing them on race day. I learned that after running long runs 8 miles seems like a breeze. I learned that a loop around Central Park is really not that far. I learned that you can see half of the people you attend church with by running the opposite direction on the loop in the park on Saturday morning. I learned that I get tired long before I get bored of running. I learned that ice baths sound torturous (and they are) but are so soothing to sore and tired legs. I learned that friendship comes in all forms such as wearing the water backpack so you can have a drink at any time and lets you ramble when you want to but do all the talking to keep your mind off the thought of sitting down and quitting. Oh the list could go on and really none of this is new if you are an avid Runner's World magazine reader but to me I am an explorer and I am learning this all first hand.
With several more weeks until the race and two more long runs ahead there will definitely be more exploration. But for now I am going to rest and cross train to avoid injury.
4 comments:
Steph, you're my hero. I have NEVER liked running, but I started going on [very] early morning runs with some friends [who also hate running] and I'm actually enjoying it after only a few weeks. Yesterday I ran 5 miles and that was like the biggest accomplishment ever, lol. Maybe one day I can come run in Central park with you and you can walk while I pitter patter along side you for a couple of miles!
You're a rockstar cuz. I've never had a desire to run that far. But if anyone can do it I know you can. Keep up the good work. By the way...where is the race?
This is inspiring! You make we want to take up running again--especially when we move back to NYC!
please share more information about this online tool with free schedules. there are a plethora of free schedules out there, but this one sounds like one i need to get my hands on. we're going running on friday, right....
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