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Saturday, April 4, 2009

Run A Marathon



Although I've always been athletic, I am not a "runner". I am, however, a brisk walker. I can walk for a very long time over a very long distance at any time whether I've trained or not. Being an actual "runner" would be great - it is something I've always wanted to do. Even when I was involved in track and field competitively I was only a sprinter. This was the same thing for swimming. The fifty and hundred yard dashes were my specialty - that or the anchor of a relay.

Last year, I really wanted to enter the Long Beach Marathon and it just didn't happen. This year will be different. I'm going to be in that marathon. Granted, I don't expect to be an actual runner, but I will very briskly walk and finish with a respectable time. Seriously, since I'm tall and have long legs my brisk is nearly a jog.

I'm starting today with training. I've slacked off with my fitness since I've been quite overwhelmingly busy at work. No more excuses though, that really has to stop. My poor dog is suffering also with the lack of exercise and that isn't right at all. I'm trying to keep up with a goal to walk him 100 miles in a month.

Today and tomorrow we're going to hike. In addition, I started making use of my elliptical trainer again this week. I'll be using that for at least 30 minutes five days a week. I try for six or seven but give myself a break there with expectations. I really believe that expecting too much will put too much pressure on and can cause a plan to fail. Also, I have other exercise equipment to work arms, legs, and abs so I will make proper use of that again. I'll let you know the routines I decide on.

If anyone has great training routines or suggestions I'd love to hear them.

4 comments:

Lindsay said...

That is so awesome that you are going to do a marathon. I actually always wanted to power walk a marathon, but I don't think I'd be very fast. What time do you think you'd finish in? And thank you for the link!

Apryl DeLancey said...

Well, I can power-walk a mile on the treadmill in 11 minutes so I hope to keep that sort of pace. I'm trying to get in the shape where I can at least jog a bit for it.

Lindsay said...

Wow that's awesome that you can power walk that fast. I am impressed. You would beat some people who try to run the whole thing! I guess I haven't timed myself walking. I'll have to do that sometime. Ace and I usually walk 20-minute miles, but that's a comfortable pace.

Apryl DeLancey said...

Yeah, I just have to get back in the shape to keep that pace up! I had a class in college that required a 12 minute mile and I was determined to beat it so that is how I got to doing the 11 minutes.