Four Months All for Tomorrow

Well, it's here. I can't even believe it.

I've been training since December. For FOUR months.

I'm doing it with my best friend.

It's been on my bucket-list for 20 years.

I'm doing it while I'm 26, just like I wanted to.

I'm finally running a full marathon.

And I'm doing it TOMORROW.

It feel surreal to me. I am completely overwhelmed with emotions. I'm confident... but I'm still nervous. I'm anxious, really.

A LOT of hard work has gone into this, and I've suffered through breathing problems (ugh, asthma) and a foot injury... but here I am. I made it to race day.

That quote pretty much sums me up right now. My head and my heart are a mess from an unrelated event, so it's been tough to grasp exactly which emotion I am feeling the most right now.

• Have you ever run a marathon?
• What big goals do you have set for yourself this year?
• What's on your bucket-list?

One Month Until My First Marathon

As of today, my first full marathon is exactly ONE MONTH away.

To say I am terrified would be an understatement.

I am nervous, anxious, and scared.

But I am also excited, proud, and empowered.

I have been training hard since December, and it feels great to be realizing a dream.

I imagined the physical struggle that would come along with training, but I didn't realize I would get such a rush out of it as well. It's amazing what my body is capable of. I've had a couple setbacks with asthma flare ups and urgent care visits for breathing treatments and steroids (no more running outside in Colorado for me for the time being - bring on the treadmill), but I have also had some amazing runs. I've even set a few personal records - one for my half marathon time by 20 whole minutes and others for distance.

This is NOT fun.

The three pairs of Asics I'm training in... the ones on the right are my marathon shoes!

Oh, Colorado.

This was a proud moment - when I beat my previous half marathon time by 20 minutes!

This was my first distance record since 2008 - and it felt amazing!

• Are you a runner?
• What is the most you've ever run?
• Do you enjoy training for races?
• Do you have any marathon advice?

Marathon Training Update

Most of you already know that I am running a marathon in April. If you want to know details, check out this post. 

So far, training is going pretty well. I have stayed injury-free, thank goodness (*knock on wood*). I have been building my endurance on my longer runs and testing my speed on my shorter runs.

So far, the most I have run this time around is five and a half miles. That changes this weekend, though, when I run seven. Let me tell you how amazing I felt after my four mile run on Tuesday... until I realized I needed to add another 22 miles to it! WHOA! But I know I'll running 13, 18, 22, and then 26 miles before I know it, and nothing will give me greater satisfaction.

I am (for the most part) following Hal Higdon's Novice Marathon Training Program, but I am making a few alterations in mileage. I don't want my longest run before the race to be 20 miles, so that's why I'm tweaking it a bit. 

GORGEOUS path to run on during winter break in Oregon!

I was SO happy to finally be able to run with my friend Michelle! She used to make fun of me for running, and now look at her go! :) 

Yes, I have three pairs of Asics I'm training in... I plan on wearing the ones on the right for the marathon! :) 

I've been pinning to a board on Pinterest that I created called "Marathon Training". I'm using it for motivation. So far, I've been okay on my own, but I know days will come when I am exhausted, busy, etc., and I will need that extra push... so the quotes I have on my board are there to help inspire me. If you're on a training plan or just need a little motivation, feel free to follow my board by clicking here.

Each day when Lizzie and I make more plans for marathon weekend, it feels more and more real. THAT TERRIFIES ME TO MY CORE. However, it also invigorates me. I can't wait to prove to my college self that I CAN keep running and that I CAN achieve my dreams!

For some running inspiration, check out my "Why I Run" post from last year!

Marathon, Here I Come!

I can't believe I am actually doing it. FINALLY, I am really going to do it. I am going to accomplish a LIFELONG dream on April 27th, 2014, just one month and three days before my wedding.

I AM GOING TO RUN A FULL MARATHON.

That's right. My amazing friend Lizzie (who blogs over at Seis Matters) and I decided to finally bite the bullet and do what we've been talking about. We registered for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, and I booked my flight there. I'll be staying with her that weekend in Enid, about 90 minutes from OKC. We are STOKED, nervous, and excited!

I started running when I was very young. I ran with my dad in the afternoons. Then, in seventh grade, I joined cross country and track. I ran both events until I graduated from high school. I have run countless 5Ks and one half marathon. I have ALWAYS dreamed of completing 26.2 miles, and now I finally have my chance.

I'm slow. I've never been great at running; it's just something I do to ease the stress I have from daily life. It's not going to be easy, but it is going to be completely worth it.

I'm scared, and training is going to be tough, but I can't wait to kick asphalt next April!