I never thought I’d do a real blog, but this is just as much for myself as for anyone who reads it. I’m learning the blogging ropes, so apologize for any crazy formatting. I’ll get better. 🙂 I wanted to document this journey, as it will encompass more than running. My goal is to keep each blog short and sweet, as you probably have a lot more to read and do. This first one will be the longest. Below is a little history of why this goal is important to me.
In Nov. 2009, I completed my first Half Marathon in 2:19 (2 hours, 19 minutes). Feb. 2010, I completed my first marathon in 4:46. About a week later, my Personal Trainer Stefanie, somehow talked me into doing my first (and only) Figure Competition, see photos below.
I trained for 18 weeks, thanks to Ruben Sandoval of Fit To Be In Your Kitchen, and during most of this time, I didn’t run. I placed 3rd in the Over 40 Division (trophy, woohoo!). I thought it would be challenging to start running again, since I hadn’t been running for so long. However, when I ran my 2nd Half Marathon in Nov. 2010, I ran a 1:52. Wow, from 2:19 to 1:52 without any additional running training! I was so much lighter and leaner than before! Because of this, I realized I wasn’t too far from what I needed to qualify for Boston (needed a 3:45), so I went for it at my next Marathon, the Disney Marathon Jan. 2011. I didn’t have a clue as to how to train and simply re-used my Hal Higdon Novice Plan from my first marathon which had no speedwork, tempo or anything else other than number of miles to run (this IS a great novice plan though). At Disney, I was on pace running with the 3:45 pace group until Mile 22. At this point it was like my body said “You’re done!” I was in so much pain and ended walking most of the rest of the race. I finished in 4:02, which is my current Personal Record for a Marathon. So I know it is within me to achieve this goal.
My husband ran the Boston Marathon in 2012, and after being there, I knew it was still something I had to do one day!
In June 2014, I went for a BQ again at Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, MN. Having an age group change, I now need 3:55. Training went great, I was totally on pace until Mile 21, when I started getting painful muscle spasms in both of my quads. I ended up having to walk a lot of the rest of the race. Finished in 4:13.
I took 2015 and half of 2016 off from any real training and just had fun running races. Completed my 100th Half Marathon on my 48th Birthday a couple weeks ago, and now, I’m ready to focus and prepare to run a qualifying race in early 2017. I call the first half of this year my “All You Can Eat Half Marathon Tour” because I really wasn’t focused on what I was eating like I could have been.
I want to run Boston the year of my 50th Birthday in 2018 (hmm, if I wait one more year, I get an extra 5 minutes…nah!)
So it begins. I need to drop at least 15lbs to get to where I was in 2011. So this is where I’m at. I’m working with Ruben again and excited about this journey! Ready to start.
So I’ll be sharing my successes and challenges along the way. Thanks for joining me!
My Journey to the 2018 Boston Marathon! 