Tonight one of the big items on my 30 by 30 list started in earnest. I've started training for my next marathon.
It started innocently enough. My brother-in-law sent an email this morning that he was considering a half-marathon at the beginning of April. And since we'd probably already be in the area for Easter, he invited Erin, my sister-in-law and me to join him for the run.
It was the motivation I needed to start my training.
The thing is I don't run unless I have something to run for, and I'll gladly put off training for anything until I absolutely have to start. That's pretty obvious when you consider marathon training was one of my goals before I turn 30, and I haven't run at all since I wrote that out. So besides a bear chasing after me, figuring out races to train for is the only thing that will get me running again.
Now I'll do my best to knock out 3 miles tonight and get back into race shape over these next 10 weeks. Except now I'll make sure to keep a race in my schedule for the next few months while I prepare my body for a big boy marathon.
The last half-marathon I did was the San Jose Rock and Roll on October 3, 2010. Since I have a moral obligation to mention it at least twice per week, this was the day the Giants clinched the division and started their run for the World Series. You could say they motivated me to run my hardest, or I motivated them. When I ran that race, I finished in 2 hours and 10 minutes which was about 25-30 minutes faster than my first half-marathon from a few years earlier.
My goal this time around is the break the 2 hour mark. That would be just over 9 minute miles. I think I can do it, and I'll bust my ass over the next 10 weeks to make sure I do. The added side effect is dropping some extra weight and knocking out another item on my 30 by 30 list. Win-win.
In case anyone is wondering, the title of this post is a line from a Ben Kweller song entitled "Run" which I love. You can listen to it below. It's my motivation for this race.
1 comment:
I want to run. But I am not making any promises about a half marathon or a full marathon or even a 10k. But I will continue to motivate you and encourage you and run with you (until you are too fast!)
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