Runner Insight

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I’m not sure why, but about two weeks ago a highly unexpected thought entered my head.  “Maybe I should start training for the Missoula Marathon in July.” 

What?  Not the half-marathon that I had already planned on shooting for, but the full 26.2 mile run.

I’m not quite sure what got into me.  I dunno. Maybe it was the beautiful spring day, or the fact that my sciatica seems to be on the mend, and I’m feeling like I’m getting back to my old self again?  But I just couldn’t shake the thought. 

To test my resolve, I told T I was maybe thinking about running the full marathon.  Her reaction was one of surprise and confusion.  “What has gotten into you?” she asked.  After all, I had barely started running again, and only 3 miles at that. Not one to discourage me, she just let me sort out my thoughts on the matter, supportive of my decision, either way.

If I could get my weekly mileage up by April 15^th, I could start the marathon training schedule.  It would be hard, and a lot would depend on the weather and my sciatica, but I was seriously thinking about it, and getting excited about it, too.

The next day, enthusiastic about my new plan to run the marathon, I was determined not to let a mini-blizzard stand in my way.  So as I dressed in my spandex shorts and heavier running tights, along with my long sleeve running shirt, and new warmer running jacket, I nestled my fleece hat onto my head and took the plunge into the cold, wind-chilled day.  It only took me, oh about a minute I’d say, to come to my senses!  It was freaking cold out there!  The wind was blowing the fallen snow, and I couldn’t see a thing!  I went back inside, a bit dejected, but glad I was wiser than years past.

The next day was cold again, but the sun was out and the wind had stopped for the most part.  Again, I dressed warmly.  Zipped up, I once again headed out the door, this time relieved to find my body was responding nicely to the 10 days of inactivity.  My right leg felt pretty good, and my lower back did not hurt at all.  I was only able to run about 3 ½ miles. I was feeling heavy on my right side and had to stop and walk a few times. 

Later that day, my thighs hurt from the run, but that was just normal aches and pains from not having run in a while.  But my right calf was very tight, like when I first started running again about 4 weeks ago.

Knowing the tightness was from the sciatica, I was disappointed.

Don’t get me wrong.  I was very happy about how my body was reacting to my running, but I knew there was no way I could do the mileage necessary to get me up to where I needed to be to start the longer marathon training runs by April.

I truly hadn’t been planning on running the full marathon this year, anyway. I just got struck by a whim that took a few days to wear off. So I gave myself permission to take it easy on myself.  After all I was making good progress with my back and sciatic nerve.

I have come to realize that getting myself aligned and healthy will allow me many more years of running.  I need not hurry the process and take the risk of re-injuring myself just because I want to prove something to myself:  That I could come off a debilitating back injury and run a full marathon in the same year. 

Well the heck with that noise.  I’m proud of me right now for not allowing the pain and fear of re-injuring my back keep me from running, like it does so many other people.  Even if it’s only a few miles at a time, I will keep running and continue to listen to my body. 

The most important thing for me to remember is: I run for me.  And me says, “Be gentle with yourself; I want to keep running for many more years to come!”

How ‘bout it?

-Vision Runner

P.S. Special Happy Birthday message to T’s mom!!! Hope it was a Great One!!

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After making the commitment to do what it takes to train for and run a marathon, the next thing I had to do was to find a good training program.

As I searched the internet, I found lots of different marathon training programs, but what I was looking for was a straight-forward approach.  I was not interested in building speed; my goal for my first marathon was simply to finish it. That would be an exhilarating accomplishment in and of itself, and one that very few people, sighted or blind, could claim to have done.

After looking at several different programs, I picked the one that I could modify to my work schedule. Most training regimens are set up for the average person who works a 9 to 5 job Monday through Friday, with weekends off.  And because a marathon is usually run on a Sunday, the long training runs are usually scheduled for Sundays.

However, this wouldn’t work for me, as I worked not only the graveyard shift, but I also worked weekends. So a bit of modifying was needed. Here is an example of the marathon training schedule after I modified it to my own work/running schedule.

It took some concentrated effort and juggling to modify the schedule to ensure that I got in all the miles I needed, plus the right amount of time off between long runs.

With that issue resolved, the next thing I needed to do was to find a new pair of running shoes. While attending a local Marathon Training Class, they suggested that runners should buy two pairs of the same running shoes.  Was this some kind of ingenious marketing ploy and sales trick?  No it turned out to be a very smart trick for me. 

Anders, the owner of my local running store, (I would link to it if their website was up, Anders…hint, hint) explained that buying two pairs of the running shoes that I wear, would ensure that I would have them when I needed them. I would train in one pair for the first few months, but then about 6 to 8 weeks before the marathon, I would want to put on the new pair and start to break them in. Then I could put them away about two weeks before the race.  When race day came, I would use that pair that only had four to six weeks of road miles on them. That way I had a relatively fresh pair of shoes for my 26 mile marathon. They would be broke in just enough so as not to cause foot pain, but still have all the support and bounce I need to be able to run a long race. It was excellent advice, and I have used it since for half-marathons I’ve run, as well.

This worked out even better than I could have expected for the marathon, as I found out later from Anders that they were having a hard time getting in the running shoes I liked, plus everyone was buying their running shoes for the race at the last minute. I already had mine, ready and waiting. So on race day I put on what looked like a brand new pair of running shoes, but without the worry of getting sore feet or blisters…

Well, I did get sore feet, but I’m pretty sure it was from running 26.2 miles. 

How ‘bout it?

 -Vision Runner

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