And So It Begins...

Marathon Training Schedule: Novice 1

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	Rest	3 m run	3 m run	3 m run	Rest	6	Cross
2	Rest	3 m run	3 m run	3 m run	Rest	7	Cross
3	Rest	3 m run	4 m run	3 m run	Rest	5	Cross
4	Rest	3 m run	4 m run	3 m run	Rest	9	Cross
5	Rest	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	Rest	10	Cross
6	Rest	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	Rest	7	Cross
7	Rest	3 m run	6 m run	3 m run	Rest	12	Cross
8	Rest	3 m run	6 m run	3 m run	Rest	Rest	Half Marathon
9	Rest	3 m run	7 m run	4 m run	Rest	10	Cross
10	Rest	3 m run	7 m run	4 m run	Rest	15	Cross
11	Rest	4 m run	8 m run	4 m run	Rest	16	Cross
12	Rest	4 m run	8 m run	5 m run	Rest	12	Cross
13	Rest	4 m run	9 m run	5 m run	Rest	18	Cross
14	Rest	5 m run	9 m run	5 m run	Rest	14	Cross
15	Rest	5 m run	10 m run	5 m run	Rest	20	Cross
16	Rest	5 m run	8 m run	4 m run	Rest	12	Cross
17	Rest	4 m run	6 m run	3 m run	Rest	8	Cross
18	Rest	3 m run	4 m run	2 m run	Rest	Rest	Marathon

Do I really know what I'm getting myself into? I sure hope so...guess we'll see.

Had my first run with the new running group on Saturday. I showed up and spotted a neighbor there, which was a relief. I guess I felt like I had to prove myself, so I said, "Yeah, sure, I'll jump in and do 10 at a 9-9:30 pace." Really? I hadn't done a  long run like that since training for my last half. I only had half a Clif bar and a couple sips of water to fuel me, the humidity and heat were already getting up there (even at 5:30 a.m.)...what was I thinking. But, I hung in there. Almost told them I decided to just do 8, and turn around after 4 miles (run same route back) as I had a couple moments of feeling nauseous, but I suppose my pride wouldn't let me. I think I'm really going to enjoy this group though. Many runners have done marathons, and I can learn so much from them. And as much as I love to run by myself, I really did enjoy the company. It did make the run go by faster, although I would much rather listen to people have a conversation while running, than talk myself...

So, I'm already thinking of altering the training just a tad. I think I'm going to run on Mondays, rest Tuesday, run W-TH, rest Friday, run Saturday, rest Sunday. Well, I won't "rest" on Sunday, but I doubt I'll find an activity to do that really qualifies as "cross-training". I'm always doing something active...can we call mowing the big yard "cross-training"? Playing with the girls in the pool? I'll continue to do my long runs on Saturdays, but when the girls go to school and start sports, I'll move them to Wednesday mornings so I don't miss much time with the family on weekends.

That's the plan. That's the schedule. At this point, I'm nervous, but focused. I hope I can stay that way the next 18 weeks.