I still have yet to sign up officially for the Disney Marathon.
Partially because I can’t bear the thought of slapping $125 on my credit card and letting it accumulate interest until I get a job next May, but mainly because I’m pretty scared. Twenty six point two miles is a long way.
Am I crazy? 26.2 miles!?!
I feel like I barely have time to breathe and get my homework done, much less train for a marathon. I’ve been talking to BFF Debbie about this a lot, especially with her moving to NJ next Monday. My BFF/Running pal is leaving!? 😦
Debbie advised that we both go ahead and sign up, and continue to train. She reminded me why I originally wanted to do this marathon- To prove to myself that I am capable of anything I put my mind too. Granted I am busy now, but my time is flexible. After this year, I’ll most likely be working for an engineering firm (I hope!) and not have as much time to dedicated to longer-mid week runs.
I just wanted to be real, and share that I’m honestly scared.
I think that my body is capable of 26.2 miles, but I’m not sure that I can wrap my head around the idea. My plan is to sign up, keep training, and give it my best. When you really want something, you make time for it!
This morning Debbie and I headed to one of our favorite running spots! We have a bunch of fun runs planned for her last week in O-town!
Before I left, I fueled up with half a full size bagel and PB. I’m trying to get my stomach accustomed to eating more than 1/4 or 1/2 a CLIF bar before runs. I don’t think that’s enough fuel!
We had a GREAT workout! I’m glad I gave my legs a two day break. They needed it! Our workout included:
- 6.0 miles easy pace (10:00 min/mile average)
- 2 laps on track, sprinting straightaways (5:34-6:17 pace!!!) and then jogging the curves
- 2 laps cool down
Total= 7.0 miles!
When I got home, I made a big bowl of Boston Creme pie Oats!
- 1/2 cup Oats
- 1/2 cup vanilla soy milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 TBL Flax
- graham cracker
- banana
- mini chocolate chips
- dollop of plain yogurt
YUM!!
It’s official: Let the Marathon Training Begin!
❤ MegaNerd
Filed under: breakfast, Fueling, Running | Tagged: bagel, banana, chocolate, oatmeal, peanut butter, Yogurt |
MegaNerdRuns 
oh, you can do 26.2. it takes some planning, but it is an amazing thing when you finish. go for it.
It took me weeks to sign up for the Disney marathon….not because of the physical stuff, but the mental. But I did it! And I’m doing it!! And I hope you do too!
You can do it Megan :). From what I’ve read on your blog, you’re a fantastic runner and what’s more, you have the determination and dedication neccessary to run a marathon. It’s completely understandable to be nervous (I’ve got a 10K in a month and I’m terrified!) but you completely rocked your 15K the other day, so you can totally do this. Andf it’s great that you’re going to do it even with everything else you have going on – you’re an inspiration!
It is absolutely normal for you to be nervous – this is a big undertaking! In my opinion, when I am really busy it’s actually really nice to have a set training plan so that exercising is non-negotiable! Try to view your training as a nice, built-in thing in your life that you will just get done! Plus, you’ve got a bunch of other running buddies for long runs. You are superwoman, very impressive 🙂
Yay! I’m glad you are going through with it 🙂 You can totally do it! I know you are extremely busy but it’s important to make time for things that you love and goals that you want to achieve!
And a YUMMMOOOOOOO to your oats 🙂
Yay for going through with it! and judging by your amazing finish in the 15K, I think that with continued training, you’ll kick butt in the disney marathon! congrats on making the decision! it’s definitely not something you’ll regret! 🙂
awww megan.. You will do great in the marathon, it is normal to be nervous.. Where is Debbie moving to in NJ.. I live in NJ!!
So sad that your BFF/ Running partner is moving:( But we all know you can do the marathon! You are capable of anything you set your mind to girl!! Loving the Boston Creme Pie Oats!!
You can run this marathon! You don’t need to finish super fast, and heck, you can even walk some of it. I guarantee the feeling of accomplishment you get at the finish line will be all the same.
Since I started working full-time after college, I’ve had to alter my workout schedule significantly. I only run 3 days a week, but you don’t need to run everyday or even 5 or 6 days a week to complete a marathon. There are a lot of online training plan generators out there that let you enter how many days a week you want to run. You can do it – you’re such a strong runner!
Your apprehension is normal…sometimes I wonder, even up to weeks before a marathon, “Am I crazy? Can I do this?”…even though I’ve done it before and am doing my 20 mile runs! You do it a mile at a time and you do it as it comes…you can and will pull through! Train smart..do lots of stretching, eating right and get good rest. Your training program is your own, adapt it to YOU! Take advantage of your flexibility right now, it will serve you. And if you can, try to find some running partners..one or several. Running with other people will challange and encourage you, especially with your BFF leaving! Good luck! Keep us posted!
Ahhh just dooooooo it! You sign up! I have faith. Ready set go!
You can do it!
You can do it!
I think that signing up will motivate you as well.
Hey, you rocked that 15k so you can certainly rock a marathon! It’s a bummer that your bff is leaving 😦
Your friend Debbie is correct! I would follow her advice exactly.
I too am aiming for a Marathon in my future, not until 2012 as I need more time to train with my full work, mom, wife, etc. schedule and the fact that I am just coming off a “huge weight” loss and need to build my body up for a challenge like that………but I know I can do it if I set my mind to it and SO CAN YOU OR ANYONE!!!
=) Laura
http://findingahealthybalance.wordpress.com/
Megan,
You can do this! You’ve been running really well lately. Don’t let your head get in the way of your heart…you’ve been wanting to do this for a while. Take care of yourself and be strong. You will do great!
Megan, you are going to do awesome at this marathon. I know you are busy and it’s hard to find time to train, and yes it is SCARY to think about running 26.2 miles, but honestly you are going to feel so incredible in the end.
You can do anything you put your mind to. I believe in you!
I am sure you can do it Megan! Right now I am in the same boat with being in my last year of school and we really need to take advantage of the flexibility we have now before we start real life!
It’s always so annoying to pay for these races, but it will be SO worth it in the end. And you will have a great support group to do it with. I have to try these interval running workouts soon. You and kelly so them a lot it seems like.
Doooo it!
I just signed up for my first half marathon in April. Honestly, I did it because I was a little bit tipsy, and I don’t know if I would have had the courage to do it if I wasn’t! I also whined to my fiance that I didn’t know if I could do it, and he basically dared me to. I don’t recommend this strategy, but just hold your nose, take a deep breath and jump in! Do it really fast and rip the band aid off and then, pouf, you’re committed.
Also, I wish I lived in FL so I could do a Disney race. It’s on my “goal” list, but it will involve flying and hotels for me to do it someday. I’m jealous!
girl i know you can run a marathon! whatever you put your mind to you can do 🙂 yummy lookin boston creme pie oats!!
jenna
I am glad you’re doing it! I know you can do whatever you put your mind to!
BUT… remember there is lots of time to do marathons, and not so much time to finish school and so on, so please please please be willing to give up when it is time to give up without getting down on yourself.
I had to shelve my first marathon plans because I was going to be travelling for work. I found it really hard to deal with, even though it was for the best. Now I try to accept that sometimes work and life have to come first, and other times, my training gets to win!
One of my favorite reasons for running is to prove to myself that I can. It’s that simple. So I loved your reason for the marathon. Just remember that you are totally capable! 🙂
And I really agree with, “When you want something you make time for it!”
You can do anything you put your mind to! I am just starting to run and I signed up for my first 5k, hopefully one day I will be able to sign up for a marathon. Keep up the great work!
I’m positive that you CAN do it!! You go girl!
LOVE your bowl of oats…I am definitely going to try that out!
There is NO SHAME in feeling this way. Holy cow, 26 miles is nothing to take lightly and I would be freaking out if I was getting ready to make that amazing committment too!
Megan, you are the only one who knows your heart and knows where it is and where it will be. I know its so hard to not be influenced by others goals and ambitions, but you must keep in mind, that you and your body is entirely different than the next person. If you fully beleive that you can accomplish 26 miles, that’s awesome! Then I say, keep going and you will truly amaze yourself. But even if you realize that this may not be realistic at this time in your life, than that is ENTIRELY okay too! Just look at what you’ve accomplished thus far. No one says running a marathon makes you a runner. You have the heart, the dedication and the drive and that is what makes you a real runner.
Don’t worry hun, you will do the right thing. I have so much faith in you! 😉
Aww, I didn’t know that Debbie was moving. I know you will miss her and it’s so hard when close friends move away!
As for the marathon, I totally think you can do it! It IS a big thing to think about, but you take it one mile at a time, just like someone already suggested. Also, especially for your first one you want to focus on FINISHING PERIOD, without the pressure of setting a time goal.
You can do it!
Danielle
Great idea to add graham crackers to oats!
Are you worried about getting injured? I think doing a marathon sounds like such a fun idea, but I really worry about my legs being able to handle 20 mile training runs, and I don’t want to pay the entry fee and then have to drop out. (that would definitely add insult to injury!) I think that’s probably something to think about as you commit to training for this.