Quest for Endurance

I downloaded the novel Born to Run on my iPhone after my husband said it would a great read in preparation for marathon training. Started it on my run today and I am looking forward to being inspired. Here’s to believing that I am born to run.

Right now I just feel like I am born to run down hills and

not up…

Well, it has been a long while since I have written anything, I guess I just felt that I haven’t had much to contribute. Just plugging away at life, quite happily I might add. As I have mentioned before, since I watched the Chicago Marathon in 2011 my running world took a new direction. Although I totally loved watching all of the runners give it their all at that moment in time, I was frustrated that I wasn’t one of ‘them’. My reluctance to participate was rooted in my experience of running the London Marathon in 2006. (SO OK… that was 7 year and it is now time to get over it and train for another marathon!) 

Since October 18, 2011 I have been running everyday - every single day. Today is  day 489. I feel that is a pretty good base to plan for my next marathon (#7).  You would think that having run a few marathons in the past, that this would be ‘old hat’. NOPE! Every one scares me like it was my second (the first I just didn’t know enough to be scared). I am excited to finally conquer my marathon demons … I am ready to commit. I may not be super strong but I am disciplined and excited… I WILL sign up for the Chicago Marathon on February 19th.  Seems fitting as this marathon was a milestone marker in my running life.  I have already booked a hotel (we actually, as my husband will run it again).

My plan is to run a 15 k race in April and a Half Marathon on Canada Day (July 1st), and to try and beat my times from last year.  What I have learned during my running streak is that more running makes be a better runner.  For those who find the idea of a streak wrong due to no rest/recovery days .. trust me I have rest days but they consist of easy 3k runs a couple of times a week - infused with Pilates.  

The biggest challenge for me is to train my mind to believe I can do it and do it well and enjoy doing it … my body will follow.

I clearly remember my first marathon, Seattle 1999. I trained with a friend, I trained by the book. I ran every long run, every in between run, every hill. Although I was beyond nervous the weeks leading up to the race, I was also so excited! I had never worked so hard and I had the black toe nails to show for it.

Backing up a little, I was not not an athletic kid, was last picked for the school teams, never made a sports team (although I did try).  Never, I mean NEVER,  did I think that one day I would run a marathon. 

There I was, standing among thousands of marathoners and soon to be marathoners and some who just wouldn’t achieve that title on that day.   It was amazing to stand among that many people who all have the same goal, simply to reach the finish line. Thousands wanted a PR, thousands just wanted to finish, and just a few actually wanted to win! 

That day I ran with people from all over the world, in almost every age category, of every body type. I struggle to keep my pace after 30 km and so many people passed me … in particular I remember a man wearing an Uncle Sam costume who was clearly over 70! Humbled but encouraged because I thought “I still have many years ahead to improve”.

I finished the race, proudly received my medal and T-shirt, which I proudly wore all that day and the next day. I walked backwards up stairs, cringed every time I moved my legs after being still for just a moment, and loved of minute of the aches and pains because they told me I had done it. I enjoyed a huge meal with my husband and friends who also tackled the marathon. Together we reviewed each and every mile even though we didn’t run each mile together.  

Our times didn’t matter, it was the shared journey and the accomplishment of finishing that made us marathoners that day.

I wonder if I am any closer to trying again ….