Start

Welcome to my random marathon training blog!  I started this more for my own sake to keep me accountable.

I am running the Baltimore Marathon on October 15, 2011 which means I have 23 weeks to train.  Sounds like a lot but in reality it is closer than it seems.

Background:  I first fell in love with running when I ran cross country in high school.  I am 23 now so that wasn't too too long ago.  I was not fast however, my PR for 3.1 miles was 23:55.  I remember that day, I was so excited to break the 24 minute mark.  Anyways, throughout college, I mostly just stuck to the gym.  i went for myself and wasn't competeing.  My junior and senior year in school I taught a weight lifting class (nothing intense, low weights to music).  At the end of my senior year, I ventured outdoors again and started running.  After graduating, in the summer of 2009, I started running a lot.  I ran a 6k, 8k, and 20k that summer.  And then, in September 2009 I ran a half marathon in 2:05:08.  That time for the half marathon is pretty good considering I started my first teaching job 3 weeks prior and only ran once or twice in those 3 weeks.  Well, then teaching took over my life and I stopped working out.  In January 2010 I got sick and spent 2 months in and out of the hospital.  In May 2010 I had my first seizure which led to me being diagnosed with a pituitary tumor.  So, I did not run or exercise the summer of 2010.  In September 2010 I had brain surgery to remove the tumor.  It was a very successful surgery but left me out of work until November and I couldn't exercise until January 2011.  But I was so busy with work.... anyways, it was only a month and a half ago that I decided to start running again.  It was a gift to myself.

Registering for the Marathon:  It was my friend's 30th birthday and she was really sad about turning 30.  She tried convincing her friends that she was now more seceptible to new diseases and infections.  She also complained about her body.  Anyways, somehow that led into her wanting to be in shape and making it her year.  Someone then suggested we run a marathon.... to make a long story short, that night, my friend and I registered for the Baltimore Marathon.  I think it will be a cool gift to myself after making it a year after brain surgery.

The program: I have decided to train using Hal Higdon's training program.  My only problem is that his schedule does not fit my schedule.  Unfortunately I have lots of doctor appointments and a job.  So I have kind of modified it (which I know I shouldn't do).

Today:  I have mostly been running on treadmills up until today.  Today I ran 3.4 miles in 35 minutes.  Not too bad considering I haven't been outdoors in awhile.  I am happy with my time.  The hills were a killer but I did not walk at all!  I am having trouble with cramping on my left side but that isn't new.  It is just hard to work through.

Tomorrow: I have to go to Towson after work for doctor appointments so I won't be running but I might try and take a short walk between appointments.

Thoughts: I'm excited at the idea of running a marathon and I don't forsee any problems now and over the summer.  However, the start of the school year in September will be hard and thats when the workouts will be harder.  We shall see how training goes then.  I'm just going to try my hardest and if worst comes to worst, I have 7 hrs to complete the marathon.  My friend and I put our expected finish time as 4:30:06 (don't ask why we put 6 seconds).  I am hoping that I can do that. 

Anyways, I hope to continue posting.  Again, its more for my sake.