Magic Every Mile

I finally took the plunge and signed-up for the 2011 Disney Marathon. Running a marathon has been a goal of mine since I ran my first 10k in 2005. I started a training plan that summer but then my toe nail fell off and well, that scared me into taking more walks. After starting grad school I needed an outlet for the ambiguity of being a doctoral student so I started running again. Strangely, its improved my work and my productivity. I finished a half marathon this February and a handful of other distance races (5k, 4m, 10k, 15k).

After training for the half, I feel ready to train for a marathon (kind of). I am full of excitement but I am also a little scared. Who hasn't heard about someone dying during a marathon? I mean the first marathon runner died upon his arrival at the assembly in Athens (there are contradicting reports of how far he ran and where he ran to but still...he died).

Poor Pheidippides or Philippides, you choose the spelling.



Although I have fear, I also realize that Philippides didn't train for his race for 36 weeks. I realize that 26.2 miles is a long way and it must be respected. I consider myself to be a respectful person so this shouldn't be a problem. I am pretty active from daily dog walks, yoga and running. I also have a training plan (thank you Hal Higdon http://www.halhigdon.com/beginrunner/novicesupreme.htm), good shoes, a Garmin Forerunner 305 and GU. I think I am ready to go.

The best part of this particular marathon training journey is that I don't have to do it alone. My trust sidekick, (yet to be nicknamed), is taking the plunge with me. Ironically, neither one of us are huge Mouse fans but I will take any chance I can get to be distracted while running. Hello Goofy. Bring on Spaceship Earth. Now, if I want to convince her to run with me the whole time I am going to have to get a little faster...

My plan for this blog is relatively simple. I really only do two things: run and research so that's what I am going to write about on a regular basis. I will share my training, failures, falling, eating, drinking and basically anything else that seems appropriate.

Get excited. This should be interesting.