I didn’t mean to do it – Marathon Training Run IV

I really don’t know what possessed me to try and run a marathon but it has quickly stuck itself in my head and I can tell that I won’t be satisfied until I have completed the task. That’s what has me up at 4:XX this morning preparing for a 6AM run with the Palm Beach Roadrunners. The Roadrunners are a local running team that has setup the half marathon route today, simulating the Marathon of the Palm Beaches run that will take place on December 3rd. Today, my goal is to get out and run with people (I always run alone), at an ungodly hour (I rarely get up early and marathons all start very early so far as I can tell) and see just how far I can make it. My plan is to run and then walk if necessary to complete the half marathon. I’ll be satisfied if I can run at least 8-10 miles of the total 13.1 mile half marathon since I haven’t been doing a lot of training yet and I’m still working my way back to proper running fitness. More than how many miles I complete by running, I have a goal to stay injury free and healthy. I can’t run my first ‘real’ half marathon on December 3 if I hurt myself today or during another training session.

I think this comment in one of Dad’s recent e-mails sums this all up rather well…

“Anyhow, sounds like you have been busy – marathon training. Good for you. Nobody in our family has ever run a marathon to my knowledge. That may make you the dumbest Gude in generations.”