Today’s Run:  Rest Day

We have entered week seven of our 18 week marathon training program.  We are following Hal Higdon (HH) Intermediate I program.

I have utilized HH programs for every race I have ever run save my C25K program.  That is the program responsible for me becoming a runner.  HH has never let me down and I am counting on him holding my hand through this, my first marathon.  To say that I am terrified does not begin to scratch the surface of my terrifiededness (terr-i-fie-ded-ness).

Tomorrow finds our midweek run at 7 miles give or take a little bit.  As we encounter these new distances, we kinda guess on the side of going further than needed rather than be short the distance scheduled.  Tomorrow could be 7 1/2 or just seven.  Either way, our “little” mid week runs are getting to be not quite so little.

This week, our long run will be 17 miles.  No, that is not what HH says to do.  We (my husband and I) have many friends who are experienced marathoners and they say that if at all possible, fit a 23 miler into your schedule.  The HH program we are doing has two 20 milers.  We will do the first 20 miler as directed and the second one will be a 23 miler.  Hence the larger long distance runs.  We need a larger foundation to be able to do a 23 mile run.  So, this Saturday morning will find us attempting 17 miles!  I can hardly wait!!!

On the whole, I am loving and I mean loving training for this race.  Parts of me hope it never comes because I am having such a good time.  The other half of me wishes it was already over.  Both my husband and I are getting tired.  We are not spring chickens here at 51 years old.  Most marathoners~serious marathoners~not people like me who are hoping and praying to make it across the finish line, are much, much younger than we are.  ( and I understand that there are people my age who are the energizer bunny…)

Yes, week 7.  Almost the half way point!!!  Hey, YA!