sacred road

I was planning on running a marathon in June. I just don't have the confidence for it. Here's how my plans went awry...

I ran a half marathon back in February. I wasn't in as good of shape as I would've liked but I was definitely ready for it. After the halvsie (I'm gonna go ahead and call it that) I kept running and I started a training program to run the Teton Dam Marathon in Rexburg, Idaho, on June 11, 2011. Then I came down with a cold at the beginning of March. I didn't run for a week. I should've made it two because when I started running again my lungs just couldn't handle it. I kept running (probably a mistake) and it took almost a month before I could handle an easy pace without going short of breath. And my lungs still tire quickly when I try to push my pace.

All the while my orthotics weren't fitting quite right and causing a bit of pain in my right ankle. I had them adjusted a couple times but with no luck. (My awesome podiatrist has since fitted me with a new pair on which he gave me a huge discount and they fit perfectly.)

I've injured myself twice in the past through overtraining so that has been a constant fear. Especially with having been sick and orthotics that didn't fit right, I was afraid of injuring myself again so I didn't push myself too hard.

So with that, I'm definitely not ready to run a marathon in June. At least I don't feel ready. My buddy Ben is convinced I could do it if I really wanted. And maybe I could. I want to enjoy my first marathon, I want it to be as positive as possible. I don't want to be worried about injuring myself or not finishing, or worse, I don't want one of those two things to actually happen.

So I've consigned myself to doing a half marathon in June. I'm determined to run a full marathon in the fall. There's one big obstacle that is gonna make that difficult for me though: summer. The Phoenix Valley is quite possibly the worst place to be if you're trying to train for a race in the summer -- our low temperatures are higher than other places' high temperatures. It's seriously rough. I really don't know how I'm gonna do it.

I've got a couple summer trips planned that will interrupt training as well, even if they are to places with excellent summer climates. (Traveling always messes up training.)

I've got to do it though, I can't give myself any excuse not to. Your encouragement and positive thoughts are welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance.




Please don't tell me I can't make it
It ain't gonna do me any good
Please don't offer me your modern methods
I'm fixin' to carve this out of wood