Training for a marathon

Some days I wonder what the heck we were thinking when we signed up for this run. It is hot. Training is not fun. Long runs take f-o-r-e-v-e-r. I could be doing so many other things other than hours of running!

I am not a 'runner'. I don't enjoy running. Unless there is some kind of ball around (soccer, basketball, softball, football, any ball) I don't ever 'feel' like just running.

The longest distance I have ever run is a half marathon (13.1 miles). I agreed to do it with a friend and our pace was super relaxed and easy and we took frequent walk breaks. The goal was just to finish. While I do remember feeling really good after that 'race' and thinking "I could totally do a full marathon", I am starting to wonder what got me so excited about this full-marathon idea?

 

June 8, minor's ravine trail, 7 miles, 8am, about 83 degrees, pace-10:44/mi

This time I am training with none other than my hubby. Let's just say running with a 32 year old guy who happens to be in pretty good shape despite his desk job is just a wee different than training with my previous partner. I am super competitive. Which means when I am supposed to be running shoulder-to-shoulder with Brad and am trying desperately to look like I feel great, what's really happening is my mind and body are whimpering like a little girl begging me to just admit I want to walk.

June 22, folsom lake, 8 miles, 9pm, about 85 degrees, pace-11:12/mi

And while we are totally doing it: following the training plan and shocking myself with the ability to actually run these distances at a decent (albeit slow) pace, I am still struggling to convince the whimpering little girl in my head to shut up and run!

June 29, Granite Bay, 9 miles, 5:30am, about 80 degrees, pace-11:05/mi

 

All complaints aside we are running. And I will finish that race. But I'm willing to bet the whiny little girl will show her face at some point on race day... It won't be pretty... And I am not looking forward to it... But she can't stop me.