marathon training and more
I’ve run 3 marathons in my life. Three full marathons, that is, and they were all the same race – Nashville’s Country Music Marathon on the last Saturday of April for the past 3 years. It’s a pretty fun race, but training was rough. I would start training in January and run in freezing temperatures and snow (sometimes) for a couple of months, and end up racing in 80+ degrees in Nashville. My second year at Nashville was the best year, and it started out cloudy and rainy, and then got into the low 70s.
This marathon is going to be different. I can already tell. I’m starting out with the warm(ish) temperatures and will be running in temps that are between 40 and 60 degrees. Totally doable. I’m also going to be running several races before the December race, which I’m pretty excited about. The Asheville Citizen-Times half marathon is my first race. I then hope to run the Thomas Wolfe 8k on September 26. (We’ll see about this one – I’ll have to add miles onto that race, but it’s a really fun course that takes you buy Thomas Wolfe’s gravesite.) We might possibly run the Battleship half marathon in Wilmington on November 1, and I’m almost willing to bet I’ll get a 5k race in there somewhere.
And then the marathon is December 12.
I’m determined to lift weights again through the training. I did them tonight and so far, so good. Of course, the McFlurry I ate after the workout probably isn’t going to help matters. I’m also hoping to do more speed workouts prior to the marathon.
And what’s more, you ask? (Because obviously there is more, if it’s in my blog post title.) Well, the week after the marathon, I’ll be flying up to Philadelphia to be in a wedding for one of my best friends. My problem? I tend to gain weight when training for marathons. The solution? Cut back on McFlurries.
No. Seriously. I’m hoping that I can just be healthier during this training. And make it through the marathon so I’m not dead at the end. Oh and I need to raise the funds for charity (you should think about helping me out if you can. It really is a great cause!!)
And stay tuned for more fun news. I’m planning on stealing ChasRunner’s idea of a dessert party, and you’re all invited….if you can make it to Asheville. I’m even going to try and do a raffle of many cool items – one of which will be handmade by yours truly.
This is going to be a lot of fun! Hope you’ll join in on the fun with me. š
(And for those of you who are so inclined, please feel free to share my links with people who might be willing to support my race and fundraising efforts. I can use a lot of help!)