here we go again!
By Sarah. Filed in Marathon Training Posts |
After about 2.5 months of not blogging and not really running (I probably averaged 7-10 miles a week), I decided I needed a change. I miss running – I know crazy. I also miss writing. A lot of things have happened since the marathon and writing was a really good way for me to get some of my feelings out. Here are some highlights:
I ended up raising additional money and the final total was: $4,895!
I reached out to my mom’s girlfriends and set up a girls night. Due to all of our crazy schedules, it had to get postponed but at least we have opened the line of communication!
There were articles in all of the local papers: Hartford Courant, Journal Inquirer, etc. featuring the run and the donation – unfortunately I was listed as ‘Amy’, my mom’s names, in all of the photos..ah well.
I met my Dad’s girlfriend, and it actually went fine. We hung out again after that, and that was fine too.
In early December I thought the crying ‘episodes’ had come back. I stayed up all night one night and cried. It hasn’t happened since then though and I think it was a much needed cry after all the stress and build-up of the marathon. I did decide though that letting my energy out in a healthy way (running, yoga, cooking even – which isn’t going that great), makes me feel MUCH better and probably keeps these dark nights from happening.
One of my best friends Jenny moved to Virginia. I am SO excited for her – great job, great man, great time to try something and somewhere new, but my Boston will definitely not be the same without her.
And finally I signed up for my first HALF marathon! Jenny was signed up to do the Charlottesville, VA half marathon on April 17th in her new home town and Beth/Buffy and I were looking for another one to do. Running without a goal is impossible. Running with a goal, piece of cake. So after debating the Nashville Rock and Roll Marathon, which I will do some day!, we decided to plan a trip to visit Jenny and join her in the half-marathon. Which means I have 2 months and 1 week to train. At first this terrified me because I trained for 3.5 months for the marathon, but I looked at the running guide and the ‘long run’ last week was 5 miles, which I did on Tuesday – so I think I’m ok.
I started officially training today and ran 3 miles. I RAN, though. I realized that my goal/focus during the marathon was not to stress out my body and to just be able to finish a marathon. This time, I KNOW I can run 13 miles, so now I need to see if I can kick this marathon’s ass. (can you say ass on a blog?) I don’t think I’ll ever be ‘fast’ but my goal is 2 hours, which would be a bit under a 10 minute mile. Buffy is training and running with me, with the same goal, and I’m really looking forward to doing this together.
Today’s run was amazing. It was almost 40 out so I only had to wear one layer and I picked a completely different route, running through the MGH side of Beacon Hill. I also decided I need to train on these hills so I ran up Beacon Hill twice. The second time was brutal- Pickney St. literally goes straight up! But, I finished 3.10 in 29 minutes, including the hills. Already a good start! I also felt really strong and kind of bad ass. I was listening to Gaga (thanks Jenny!) and Brittany and having this girl power moment and just wanted to sprint! I’m sure they won’t all be that good, but this was a great start to this next chapter.
My marathon was for my mom. This half marathon is for me.
