January 6, 2011
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A new beginning
Well, it’s been since 2007 since I blogged. Unbelievable.
I’m back though! I need to vent about my latest project and keep a diary for inspiration:
I’ve set a goal to run a half marathon this year.
I’ve never run a marathon before. In fact I’ve never run long distances before. At my best, I only ran while playing sports in school (20+ some odd years ago) . . . when in track and field, I ran the relay — not much. Other sports have been softball, volley ball and a little soccer. Mostly sprinting types of running. Run fast and get done quickly.
Why, you ask did I decide to run a half marathon this late in life? I’ll be 46 for God’s sake at the end of the month! Last year while watching the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon runners go by my friend’s house, a reporter came and interviewed me and my youngest daughter. I blurted out “I plan to run the half marathon next year” and they printed it. Black and white in the Oklahoman. Ugh!
Really, I’ve always fantasized about running a marathon. It is one of those goals to achieve. I think the first time I seriously thought about doing it, was when Oprah ran a full marathon for her 40th birthday (in 1994). Hell, if she can do it, surely I can.
Well, I started “training” in November. I’m way overweight. Out of shape. Old and tired. I couldn’t even run a full block without becoming winded. Pathetic huh?!! I thought so. I became very concerned with this goal I’d set.
Come December it got cold and I got lazy, then I got sick (I’m still recovering). I lost all momentum.
Now it’s January, time to make all those stupid resolutions, and for me to get serious about training for the marathon.
I ran on Tuesday (Jan. 4th), well, sorta ran. I did not eat to fuel my body. I was not dressed appropriately. I had my big winter coat on and a t-shirt under that. I ran a block and walked two blocks, then ran another block and walked about three blocks, ran one more block and walked the rest of the way. I got home; I was hot, sweaty and coughing up a lung!! I started though.
Yesterday, instead of running, I did some Pilates Yoga from a DVD I had on hand. The yoga part felt good, but the pilates, well, it kicked my butt! Did I mention I was out of shape. I hated doing it.
Today. Today was a much better day. I think I fueled my body better. I still walked more than I ran, but I ran more than I had before. I was able to run about a block and half, walk two blocks and run 1 1/2 blocks. I did this for about 30 minutes. I still came home hot and sweaty. But I wasn’t coughing up a lung. And I did not feel wiped out when I was done.
For breakfast: Avocado smoothie (enough for 4 or 5 servings).
2 ripe avocados 1 cup of soy milk 2 frozen ripe bananas 1 6oz container of greek vanilla yogurt about 1 T or so of agave nectar 1 scoop of protein powderI added a few ice cubes because it wasn’t cold enough. Very tasty and very smooth. Even the girls liked it.
Now headed over to Runner’s World to set up a training schedule (as suggested by my family doctor!).
Comments (1)
I wish you the best in your quest to run the half marathon! So cool your intentions ended up in the paper. Yikes!
I too, have been away from Xanga for a while, turned 46 this past December, and have never ran a marathon or any part of one. There was a time a few years back when the military made me run and I thought I would die, mostly in the beginning and sometimes at the beginning of the runs, but over time (I can’t believe I’m even saying this) I got to a point where (I don’t even want to admit this) I actually started almost enjoying my running time. Granted, I felt like I’d conquered the world if I made it 2 miles even if some of that was at a run slower than a fast walker.
So I wish you well and I think if you make it, you will find out some interesting things about yourself and the world, or at least your corner of it. Good luck!