Marathon training

I have been seriously slacking on my blog.  I feel like I should let all my blog friends know where I have been and what I have been up to.  

So lately I have been training for my first marathon.  The half marathon (13.1 miles)  was on my things to accomplish list for this year.  On the morning of my first 10K I was chatting with a friend about how to prepare for a marathon, and expressing how totally lost I was.  She told me that she completed her first marathon with Team in Training.  What is Team in Training (TNT)??  She told me a little bit about it and how the program works, I thought about this at different times throughout that 10K....and when I got home decided to look further into it.  After speaking with someone in the TNT office I was determined.  I decided right there that I wanted...NO needed to do this!!  

For everyone who is scratching their heads right now wondering what TNT is and why I was so moved to join them on  my marathon journey let me give you a little info.  TNT is a group of athletes who set out to raise money for the Leukemia/Lymphoma society.  The participants of TNT participate in endurance events.  such as Marathons, Half-marathons, Triathlons, Century rides, and Hiking.   All this to try and squash cancer!    The really cool thing is that even thought the society is looking to treat and hopefully cure blood cancers, the research is being used to help treat and in some cases even cure some types of cancer!  The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society also helps the patients and their family to cope with the blow of a cancer diagnosis, whether monetary or in emotional support.  

TNT Fall Team

So maybe now YOU can see why I HAD to do this!  Look I was gonna be running at marathon event this year anyway.  This way it is SO MUCH MORE than just running an endurance event!  I am making a difference in the lives of others.  Gotta LOVE that!

Alright now onto the running.  Things had been going pretty great!  I was running each week my required miles, meeting tons of great people and raising lots of money. I even got so confident in my abilities I decided..."Hey, why do a half marathon (13.1 miles) when I could do the FULL (26.2 miles)??"   I got up to a 12 mile run and then it happened!!  The dreaded injury!  OH NO!  NOT GOOD!  I was 30 days into the injury when I finally felt like I was getting somewhere. On that 30th day I had my first physical therapy appointment.  Having an injury and not being able to run my usual miles was tough!  Even if I wasn't training for such a feat as the marathon.....running has become part of who I am.  I really can say, even when I hate it I still LOVE it!  Funny I know....why?  Running is for ME.  It is the only time in my life I can say that my brain can take a breath.  I can be going along and before I know it a mile passes by and I have only been in that moment.  Not thinking about  the future the past...nada, just being  in the minute by minute present.  I gotta tell ya it is a WONDERFUL place to be!  

Now I have been progressing through my injury and am able to increase my miles again.  Mostly for me, just being able to run again without excruciating pain is AWESOME and an achievement in itself.  I ran over 10 miles recently and was pleased.  I am looking to get in at least one 20 mile run before the marathon.  This weekend I am looking to be able to say I went at least 13 miles...maybe even 15 if I feel well enough.

Marathon training is very time consuming.  You would have to LOVE running or walking to even do it.  Because 26.2 miles is grueling, but so exciting! Unfortunately there are only so many minutes in the day and between working full-time, mommy full-time and training, it has left my crafty stuff to wait for my return.  I hope to be back in the swing of things after the marathon.  Oh did I mention....the marathon is Oct. 16th!  I am traveling to San Francisco to run in the Nike Women's Marathon!  So, SO Exciting and really...a dream come true for me.  

I know I could not even dream of doing this marathon without the support of my family.  A big THANKS to them for being patient with me....whether I am talking endlessly about running or need to lay down in a bed of ice for a few hours.  My boys have been there for me!  Thank you to my friends for inspiring me to keep going and for donating to help a great cause and getting me one step closer to  my goal.  I am still raising money to reach my goal.  I have about $800 to go!  I need to be there by Sept. 30th!  YIKES!  Please consider donating on my page http://pages.teamintraining.org/ks/nikesf11/jkoss6

Thanks for stopping by, 

Jenn