Unfinished business

Three years ago,  I trained for a marathon. I put in the work, the long runs, I lost toes nails.  I completed a 24 mile training run in pouring rain.  After that run, I came back to a flat tire.  Two weeks later, the Hartford marathon went on without me.

Rather then go into details of why I didn't complete my goal, I'll just summarize by saying life got in my way.  I wasn't strong enough (mentally & emotionally) for the challenge.  I was going through a difficult time and was completely overcome by a sense of helplessness, sadness, and numbness.  I lost all motivation and basically gave up.

Since then, I've trained for and competed in a number of events. I've done 5k's, 10k's, half marathon's and duathlons.  They were tough. None of them came easy for me.  Yet, I still have this nagging feeling of having failed to reach that one goal I set for myself three years ago.  It's been an albatross around my neck and I'm ready to remove it.

I've been floundering these days and it's not making me very happy.  Since the duathlon, my workouts have been inconsistent.

I've gone on some bike rides and have hit the gym a few times but overall,  I've been slacking.  I knew this was going to happen.  It always does after I've completed whatever event I was training for.

This means that I must always have something lined up.  It keeps me motivated and I just like the challenge.

My next big event will be the Shamrock Marathon in Virgina beach on March 16th, 2008.

I've my training program all picked out but there is a problem.  It's a 26 week program so I don't officially start till Sept 17th. 

I will go out of my mind and if I don't have a structured program over the next month or so.  In order to maintain a happy household and my laid back persona,  I've decided to start early, as in today.

I'll start the 1st week of training and just repeat for 6 weeks till Sept 17th.  :-) 

I'm following Jeff Galloway's "To Finish" program.  Details to follow.

For now, I'm just thrilled to start!  I need to take care of some unfinished business.

Comments

[Tina-cious.com]

Man, I don't know how you do it.

[val]

Honey.. i love when you have a goal cuz you'll keep me on track for mine! :)

[Jay T]

Best of luck in accomplishing your marathon goal this time!

I'm also planning on running the Shamrock Marathon and everything I've read about it sounds wonderful. It should be a great race to run your first marathon.

Good luck with your training program. Hope all goes well.