I have this crazy little idea that just won’t go away.
Yep, that’s right. I am strongly considering running the Richmond Marathon on November 16th. It is apparently “America’s friendliest marathon” and I know if I’m running 26.2 miles, I will need lots of friendly faces. I haven’t made up my mind yet, but I’ve already started looking at training plans and working the idea around in my head. The general reaction from friends has been “go for it.”
To be honest, while I really want to do it, I’m also simultaneously terrified at the idea of running for that long. I’m scared that I won’t be able to finish the race. I’m afraid I won’t be motivated enough to stick to the training. I’m just scared. I know intellectually, I can do it. I don’t know why I am having such a hard time just clicking the “register” button. A major mental hurdle for me is imagining how I will do a 20 mile training run on my own. I just can’t fathom it and that fact has me stuck right now. I just read this NY Times article about a runner who didn’t run further than 16 miles before her marathon and it made me realize that if I can run 13.1 miles (which I can), I can probably run 16. If I can run 16 miles, I can run 20. If I can run 20, I can run 26.2. I just have to commit to the training and not let my fear control me.
Have you run a marathon? What was your first one and how’d it go?
Update: I DID IT. I’m officially registered for the Richmond Marathon! HERE WE GO!
I’ve been thinking about doing a marathon too. We will have to commit together!
YES! Let’s do it 🙂
I want to start smaller…maybe a 10k or a half marathon? How long do you think I would need to train for a half if I rarely run over 3 miles when I exercise? Thanks!!
Johanna, there are great programs that you can use to train for a 1/2 marathon in a few months. I used Jeff Galloway (just google him, he has tons of free programs online) for my first half marathon and thought it was a really accessible, simple method. I’d recommend it! Yay for you!
YAY! I’ll be there.. running the half!
PS- where did you get the kindrunner ambassador logo?
emma @ a mom runs this town
Ooh, that’s awesome! I think one of my best friends and my BF are gonna do the half! Oh and I pulled the badge from one of the latest ambassador emails Joe sent us all 🙂
I’ve tried to train for two marathons and got injured both times. I have the same fears you do when it comes to running one. I think my biggest fear is being able to handle and stick to the training. It sucks a lot of your time away and if very exhausting (on the body and mentally). I’m pretty confident though, if you can get through training, the race is the easier part (who knows)! I would say if you want to do it, it would probably be smart to train with a group. I didn’t do that for the first two times I tried, so the next time I get up the nerve, I’ll do the group thing. They’ll hold you accountable, keep you motivated and get you to where you want to be (at the finish line)!
You are right. I do have numerous friends in town who run ( including my BF) who will be training for races at the same time. I feel so much support 🙂 you should try again!
DO IT!!!!!!
I signed up 🙂
This sounds like I could have written this article myself. I am seriously considering signing up for my first full marathon, but I have all the same hesitations! Too bad we can’t meet up do that 20 miler! Maybe we should both sign up and keep each other motivated…distance motivation! 😉
I pulled the trigger about 2 hours after posting my blog post. I just felt like, if not now, when? DO IT! We can encourage each other!!!
Girl, do it! You know you can..it’s fun to push out of your comfort zone….and you have MRTT to do training runs with now! There are a bunch of us doing MCM. I know your race is different timing, but you can still jump in on some of our runs!!!
You are right! I signed up 🙂 I’m looking forward to runs w/you ladies training for MCM 🙂 Yay for marathons!
Go for it!!!! Must be a great marathon with a title like “friendliest in America”!!