My hope is to keep my friends and family updated with my progress as I train with Team in Training (TNT) for the San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon on May 31, 2009. I realize that this is a pretty dramatic goal for someone who is, let's face it, seriously overweight and not in prime shape.
Why I Decided To Do This:
I have a few key friends who I consider to be "runners." I admire my friends considerably, and have always felt awe at their ability to train for and complete a marathon. But I've also felt like they're a different species than I am. I've always thought that I'm not built as a "runner." Up until now, my main experience with running was the "run days" we had in gym class, which I dreaded so much that I literally suffered anxiety dreams over them.
But then, almost as sudden as flicking on a switch, I decided to walk/run a marathon myself. It was shortly after New Year's, and I was at my friend's house scrapbooking photos of my dog. (Yeah, I know. No comments on this please.) My friend (I don't know if she wants to be named, so that's why she's going by the vague designation "friend") who is a leukemia survivor, had run with TNT when she moved to California a few years ago. She didn't know many people in California, so she had decided to join TNT to help raise money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, to meet other people, and to train for a marathon. She told me that she had never run before that, and that since the first event, she has now run several marathons and countless shorter races. Wow. My scrapbook pages, embellished with paper dog bones, were looking sort of lame compared to her album that was too small to hold the many photos and mementos from of her multiple races.
I asked her about TNT, and she assured me that most people who decided to train with TNT were not "runners" before they joined, and that TNT provides a well-rounded training program that helps people ease into huge goals without making the mistakes that often lead to injury, burn-out, or failure. It seemed like a good way to learn to run, and for something that was greater than simply my own personal fitness goals.
Initial Changes:
Once I made the decision, and opened my mind to the possibility of running, I felt an unexpected wave of relief. It was as if I had been living within physical constraints from which I had broken free. (Yes, clearly they were mental self-labeling constraints, but the feeling was more of a physical one.) I suddenly believed that I could learn to run and within 5 months, become a "runner." I started reading about running and learned that there is a whole lot more to the sport than simply putting on a pair of overpriced shoes and moving my legs. I started thinking about my body as more than "overweight." I started to think about what my body can do, not just how it looks. I began to focus on food as fuel, not just as "good" or "bad."
I'm sure there are scores of books on attitude and perception, but for me, it was like a chain reaction. Once I opened my mind to the possibility that a non-runner could become a runner, suddenly, I felt like I could tackle almost anything if I decided to, planned carefully, and committed. What an exhilarating feeling! I joined Weight Watchers, determined to stick with it and change my relationship with food.
First Steps:
I started out walking around my block, while adding spurts of jogging. The first few times were surprisingly fun. My reading had helped me realize that combining intervals of walking and running was a way to build endurance and strength, not, as I had long thought, a sign that I couldn't run. I also learned that I should not run as fast as I can for as long as I can withstand. So I actually started to enjoy being outside, moving and not feeling as though I would keel over at any moment.
On my second walk/jog, I was able to jog for longer intervals than I had the first time. I was surprised to find myself disappointed that my scheduled 30 minutes had ended.
My first group practice was actually disappointing, however. I had expected to run a timed mile, be sorted into a group of people who were at a similar pace, and start training. But it had rained, and although we met and learned a lot about the process, stretching, fundraising, optimal apparel, etc., I was actually bummed for the first time ever that we wouldn't be running (the track had flooded). Weird. I was bummed I couldn't run.
The second group practice was a whole lot better. This time we had a clinic on proper running and walking technique. Our group is divided into "walkers" and "runners." Most people, however, combine both walking and running during training and marathons. I wasn't sure which group I should join, since I felt like a walker-who-wanted-to-become-a-runner. My coach suggested I start with the runners, since we would start off at an easy pace (i.e., run 3 minutes, walk 1 minute). But, I realized that at my current stage, I am able to run 1 minute and walk 3. So we agreed that I would benefit from learning the techniques for both running and walking, but training initially with the walking group.
And that's when I learned that athletic walking bears little relation to the kind of walking that I've been doing for the past 26+ years. (I don't know how old I was when I started walking. I assume it was after I turned one.) But it is FUN! And as I get stronger (and lighter), I will be able to incorporate more and more jogging.
So, the second group practice was terrific. I walk/ran 2.5 miles and felt fantastic. We also had a clinic on nutrition, and on running shoes. (My excessive reading on marathon training already paid off; during the shoe clinic, I won a hat for being able to explain to the group who Phiddipides was and what he did.)
Since that practice, I've only had one additional walk/run. Due to an unusually nasty storm, I did that practice at the gym, but was able to run a lot longer than I had previously. I completed 2.77 miles in 40 minutes (10 of which (.5 miles) were at a slow warm up/cool down pace). My next steps will be tomorrow.
My Training Schedule:
Currently, I'm training a few days per week. Mondays and Wednesdays are my mid-week runs, which I do on my own, though weather permitting (and schedule permitting) I may occasionally do with some of the group. At this point, the goal on these days is to walk/run for 30 minutes. Sundays and Thursdays are cross-training days. I have been doing yoga and pilates, to help strengthen my core and increase my flexibility (so I am less likely to get hurt). And Saturdays are the long group runs. However, for now, we're starting pretty slowly, and will gradually increase our distances. This Saturday, for instance, we will walk/run 4 miles, and the following week will be 5 miles, followed incrementally by 7, 9, 11 and a half marathon (13.1) on March 28.
I'm excited about the half marathon. I will be running it with members of my TNT training group in Agoura Hills, nearby. It will be held on a trail, which should be an added challenge. I figured that it's good practice to see the feel of a "race" on game-day before the May marathon.
Next Steps:
Tomorrow I plan to walk/run for 30 minutes, but it's still unclear whether weather will dictate that I do this at the gym or outside. I realize that I probably can run in the rain (I don't think I'll melt), but I think I'm less likely to slip and injure myself (especially as I'm practicing new and proper form) indoors. But I'm hoping that the weather changes soon and becomes the sunny California that I love.
A Special Thank You:
Thank you to all of my friends and family for your continued support of my efforts. I can't tell you how much it means to have you backing me as I work toward my goals. And thank you also to those of you who have so generously donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on my behalf. I have pledged to raise $2500 to this wonderful organization before the middle of May in exchange for the amazing opportunity they are providing to me. Your help and support has already helped me raise almost $1000. I cannot thank you all enough! For those of you who are interested in contributing, you can do so easily online:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/rnr09/jgusdorff
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