Crystal: Officially in Marathon Training Mode!

Soooo, it's official. Yesterday marked the first day of marathon training. I have chosen to do an 18 week training program,  I was debating between a 16 week and 24 week program but I think this will be perfect for me. As I go into my first week of training I can't help but feel a little scared, kinda like this guy...

Buuut, I have to pull up my big girl panties and just bust it out. What's the worst that can happen? Well an injury, that's what, but I've always been really good about running within my limitations so hopefully that should not happen. Pooping myself. That has always been a legit concern. Throwing up, etc. Mostly, I am genuinely concerned about finishing. This is a huge mental battle right now. I know I can and I know that I will, even if that means walking to the finish line, I'M GOING TO FINISH IT! There are SO many things that can go wrong when running a marathon but there is one great thing that can go right, and that's crossing the finish line.

My new motto

Okay, fears aside, I am also very excited to start my training. I put on quite a few pounds from my recent vacation to Maine (I literally lived off of pizza, fish & chips and ice cream) so I can't wait to be back on a healthy diet and workout plan. Kyle is also training for his first sprint triathlon in September, so I don't have to worry about neglecting him and we will probably do a lot of our workouts together. You laugh, but training takes up SO much of your life that sometimes it can negatively affect a relationship. Here's a good article on that: A Workout Ate My Marriage. Running a marathon is something I have dreamed of doing my entire life and in December that dream will come true; it's hard to put that excitement into words. 

On a side note, my manager was asking about my training this morning (she herself is a marathon runner) and another co-worker chimed in with "When are you doing your race? Maybe I'll sign up too. I hate running and I always thought those races looked awful but I'm sure I can do it too (shrugs shoulders)." Um, what? I'm sorry, but don't sign up for a race just because other people are when you have zero interest in running. It's great if it's something that you enjoy but why would you spend all the time and money (race fees, shoes, clothing, gear, fuel, etc) if you think they look "awful"?! I always hated the physical act if running growing up but I always admired runners and what they did. I would drive by races and wish I could do something like that because I thought it looked amazing, not "awful." I just found that weird. Haha

That's it for today's ramblings. 

-Crystal