As I’ve written about in the past, I started running, really running, with Team in Training back in December, 2000 when my daughter was just 13 months old.
I ran my first marathon (Nashville) in April, 2001. I ran my second marathon (CIM – California International) in December, 2001. Then my third (San Diego) in June, 2002. My fourth (Maui) came in September, 2003. I got into NY in 2005 but I was pregnant with Jack so I had to defer so I ran numbers five and six (New York) in 2006 and 2008, respectively. My seventh race (CIM again) was in 2010, eighth (Big Sur) in 2012 and ninth (Vancouver) in 2015.
I think it was after Maui or the first New York that I decided I would run 10 marathons by the time I was 50. So I was either 36 or 38. My math worked out to a marathon every 2 years and I’d hit 10 when I was 49, thereby reaching my goal.
Well. I’m 49. Actually, 49 and 4 months to be exact. And I am still at number nine. Harumph.
In 2015 I ran a few Ragnar races and I enjoyed the change of pace of these races. I liked the multiple legs and the camaraderie of van life. I started to think I’d switch focus and run different races instead of a marathon. I even went so far as to tell my marathon buddy Lisa that I was thinking about not doing another marathon she was shocked and told me I had to do one. But as I explained to her, I’d lost my marathon mojo. I was feeling uninspired. And I had been feeling uninspired for a while.
And then all of a sudden I wasn’t. Uninspired, that is.
In fact, it was kind of funny. Not “Ha ha funny” but ironic funny. It happened when I sat down recently and started thinking about goals and what I should do and a stupid little voice said “marathon”. Crap. And then I knew I had to do number 10. And it was kind of now or never.
So I started thinking about timing. Fall and early winter, for me are horrible times for marathons. Work is busy, kids are busy, I have a hard time training in the summer, blah blah blah. So I thought spring of 2017 but you know what. I would already be 50 by then. And what was my original goal? I would run 10 marathons by the time I was 50.
Now you must remember that I will NOT round up. If my Garmin says 5.99 miles, I run until that sucker beeps at 6. So if my goal was to run 10 marathons by the time I was 50 it doesn’t mean when I’m 50. It means that it has to be in the books by 11:59 pm on February 21, 2017. Cause once Feb 22 rolls around, I’m 50.
So I’ve narrowed it down to 2 marathons. One option is the CIM in December. Third time’s a charm, right? Kind of take it back to where it started. Except that would be Nashville but I that race is in April and well, I’ll be 50 so it’s out. The second choice is in January up in Redding. The course looks gorgeous but it may be a little too remote for me and that 3 mile downhill at the start scares me. Flashbacks of Big Sur I think 🙂
And now the exciting part. I need to make some training changes. I can train myself to run a marathon but I want to push my limits for this one. If it’s my “final marathon” I want to go out big.
So I’m going to do some research into marathon training groups and find some groups to run with or even a coach to help me with my training. I will also work on nutrition to make sure that my fuel supports the training. Dropping some extra lbs will make running easier and my body more efficient.
Big goals, I know. But you know what, I’m excited and looking forward to the challenge and I’ve given myself 5 full months for this race instead of my normal 3 to train and I’ve been training for a half marathon so my mileage is at a higher level to start.
So like with any good goal I have 2 action items that I’m going to complete within the next week.
- Register for the race (oh yeah, that) and
- Find a training plan or group
And of course I’m going to share my training journey along the way.
Hey listen, if you are training for a marathon or even a shorter distance race please stay in touch. I’d love to hear about what’s working for you or what you are trying so you achieve your goal.
Now go run!
Keli 🙂
