Countdown to 26.2

I’m sure you’ve all been on the edge of your seats waiting for the second Fuel for Friday post… so here it is. I do have to preface this by saying that there are many, potentially more interesting topics that I want to discuss here, but what choice do I have considering this was my first week of marathon training?

Did I mention I’m training for a marathon? Okay all jokes aside, allow me to just really quickly explain a few details (another excuse to tell you about my marathon). I am running the Chicago marathon on October 12th and this past Monday I began the long road to getting to the finish line.

I’ll be honest, on Sunday night while I laid in bed, the thought of the next 18 weeks ahead were daunting. I contemplated the fact that I had 5 runs (at times 40+ miles a week) and at least 3 days of strength training to fit into my schedule each week until further notice. But when I set out for that first 3 miler on Monday I was smiling the entire time so excited about the challenge of a lifetime ahead of me.

As a first time marathoner, I really can’t fathom running 26.2 miles. Before I was a runner I didn’t really understand how it could be so difficult, but after running 3 half marathons I simply can’t imagine turning around and running another half marathon again.

I think that’s one of the most awesome things about running; that it allows you to make things you once thought were impossible, possible. I once thought running a 10k was impossible and now here I am! I’ve always loved running but I kept it pretty casual for many years (although it certainly felt intense at the time) and it wasn’t until I had friends and family running by my side that I was able to push my potential as a runner.

Anyways, someone tell me to stop rambling.

Back to the training updates: I’ll conclude this week with just over 21 miles in bank. While that doesn't seem groundbreaking coming off of half marathon training, I’m so excited to be on a structured training plan again and have the opportunity to run distance PRs every week of the Summer!

I’ll be posting monthly training updates on Fuel for Friday so you can follow along my journey to turning 26.2 miles from impossible to possible if you so wish. Thank you for listening to me obsess over running for the past 3 minutes and for supporting Run Far Live Free by doing so! As a gift from me to you for putting up with my rambling use code: fuel4friday for 15% of a hoodie.