Week ONE comes to an end...

I'm pleased to announce that training week ONE is officially over.  I survived, and even improved in performance, too!  I started out the week unable to run a mile straight - let alone the entire two miles - and I finished the week by running 1-1/4 miles without stopping, and only walking 2/10 of the two miles today!

Not only have I improved in distance, but I finished today's run in just over 25 minutes - shaving  more than 2 minutes off of my total time from Monday!  An added benefit to all of the above was the fact that calories burned today alone were nearly 400.  As I type these stats, I think about the fact that as I progress in this journey, I'm sure I'll look back and laugh hysterically at them, in disbelief that I was pleased - proud even - of the improvements made in just one week!

While today's run was the best so far, it was also the most difficult!  I'm beginning to feel the effects of running on my ankle, and thinking that I won't be able to delay getting a good pair of shoes much longer.  At night, I feel like a hobbled old woman when I try to move around the house after sitting for a bit - feet shuffling, back humped, favoring my left ankle and shin.  Yet, I know that as is true with everything, the more I do it, the better I'll get, and the less pain I'll feel.  I've got to trust that my ankle will strengthen and be able to withstand the miles ahead.

So the week is over, and I get to relish in the much needed, well deserved, training break...until Monday!

Foot Protection

Now that I've committed to this journey, and have completed a couple of training runs, I'm reminded of the importance of protecting your feet.  One of the most valuable tips found on marathon training sites is that of foot protection.  I read on one site that selecting the best footwear is about comfort more than it is about fashion.  (Imagine that?!?!)

My mind is drawn back to watching war movies where soldiers trod through muck and mire, and are cautioned to keep their feet warm and dry.  I remember when the kids were young, and we had the most goofy game - The Stinky Feet Contest.  Zac never failed to win the contest - feet down!  Funnier still is the fact that last year when we went skiing, Zac took his boots off, and Macie commented that she could see the "stink" rising from his boots (as you'd see on cartoons).  So now I wonder even more -- with Zac deployed to Afghanistan -- are his feet warm? Are they dry? 

Before I worry about my feet, and taking care of them during marathon training, I'll be sure of this one thing:   added to Zac's care package this weekend will be several pair of new, warm, dry, cotton socks - requested or not, I'm sure they'll be put to good use!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.   Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV

Thankful for small things!

Oftentimes we look for the BIG things to bring us contentment, happiness, and satisfaction.  Several years ago I realized that happiness has so little to do with the "things" in life!  We can live in large homes, drive luxury cars, and even make more money than we ever have in our lives, and if we're totally honest with ourselves, contentment is not found in any of them!

Contentment comes from seeing people you love laugh about something so silly that you aren't even sure why it's so hilarious!  Satisfaction is derived from the fact that although you aren't sure how you'll do it, you're able to manage the unexpected things in life.  And happiness is not about the circumstances, but about the attitude of the heart!

So it is today that I express my thankfulness for small things!  Today I'm thankful that during my 2 mile "run," I was able to reduce the distance walked to just at a 1/4 mile.  I'm grateful for the other "small" things in my life that usually go unnotice or unappreciated --- the dogs that are ALWAYS happy to see me come home; an unexpected message from Zac in Afghanistan; friends who laugh with you about your dreams - all the while knowing they'll be right beside you, helping you accomplish it; getting to see your favorite little girl who always seems to have a smile on her face and a song on her lips; knowing that I have a husband who loves me more than I deserve; and most of all...realizing that God has designed it all for His glory and honor!

Remind me of this moment later, please!

So - it's the FIRST "rest" day of the schedule.  Seems odd considering I've only gotten to "run" once.  But, I'm sure the training schedule designers know full well what they're doing.  I'm kind of anxious to start the run tomorrow - remind me of this later on when I don't want to (or can't) take one more step! 

In fact, I'm looking forward to seeing the progress and improvement in my running - to realize that I can jog the entire distance (not meaning the 26.2 miles) without stopping to walk.  It'll be exciting as I reach milestones within the training schedule - including times when I may want to give up, but my dear friends will urge me on to finish! ;o)

I'm suddenly reminded of Paul's writing in the book of 2 Timothy (4:7) where he says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  Hopefully this new journey will not only be a physical one, but also will be one where I've become spiritually strengthened, too!  I am certain of this one thing - that without God the journey ahead of me will be IMPOSSIBLE for me to finish!

Let me thank my friends who have already started to "follow" my journey - for your encouragement and the strength that I'm getting from it!  It means more than you might know... 

26 weeks to 26.2 miles!

Here it is, the FIRST day of accomplishing the biggest goal of my life (to date)!  I'm excited to get started, but terrified of the journey into the unknown, too!  Wondering if I'll have the stamina to keep up the pace, yet trying to remember I only have to worry about today's training schedule - nothing more.  I'm counting on you, friends, to hold me accountable to the goal I've set for myself!  So, I'm off to the gym, to start the journey...

With the end in mind...

Well, friends, here it is!  Brace yourselves for the announcement of my NEW GOAL!  After much thought and consideration, I've set a goal to run a marathon before my 45th birthday (June 16, 2011)!  The reason I'm posting this blog is in hope that I'll be able to complete the training schedule (see below) and the marathon.

My goal is to keep up with my regular (Farrell's) workouts in the morning and add marathon training (see below) at the gym in town each evening.  For those of you who know me well, I'm sure you understand why this is such a HUGE goal for me!  I'll be blogging about the process, challenges, victories, and... hopefully about crossing the FINISH LINE in June! 

Looking forward to sharing this journey with you!  Who knows, maybe some of you will be there to cheer me on?!?!