Marathon Weekly Update

Thank God for Andy

Yesterday as I lazed on the couch recovering from my training run on the heels of my trip to LA I got to thinking about the task in front of me. Did I really sign up to run a marathon? Am I really going to be able to run 26 miles? What was I thinking? Usually when I get myself worked up into this kind of state I talk to my friend Andy. He is currently training for the Boston Marathon and has run 3 other marathons in the past year and a half. Not only does he run himself, he also coaches the women's cross country team at the college where he works. Andy has talked me out of the rafters a couple of times and I am eternally grateful for all of the advice he has given me and for all of the times in the future that I know I will be calling him to work his magic once again.

Two weeks ago he convinced me that running a 10 minute mile at my first training run was ok. I had been training on a treadmill and running an 11 minute mile. I was completely freaked out because I was sure that I would be training at a pace that was too fast for me and it would lead to injury or not being able to complete the training. Andy reminded me that everyone ran the same course on the same day and that the group they put me in was appropriate for me.

Last week, after I had a terrible time running on Tuesday, I was convinced that I was not using the proper running form. I spent an hour on the internet searching for the proper running form for long distance running. Low and behold, Andy called that same day and told me that I was foolish to mess with my running. He reminded me that some days your body is tired and running is hard. He also pooh poohed the idea that I should change my running form. As far as he is concerned, my body will find the most efficient way to run depending on the day.

So, I head into each day with a little more confidence and motivation - barring the random freak outs in my head - and I owe a lot of that to Andy!

posted by Heidi @ 9:12 AM