As the new year fast approaches, I have been hearing lots of chatter amongst runners about what 2012 will bring.  There is a lot of peer pressure encouragement of some to make this the year to attempt the marathon distance.  So, in case this is YOU and you are feeling the pressure, let’s just break it down a bit so you can decide if you want to commit.  There is a big difference between loving to run and committing to a marathon.  I certainly don’t want anyone to lose the love for running because of peer pressure committing to a marathon.  

• Most Training plans are 18 weeks
• If you are “thinking” of running the 2012 Chicago Marathon on October 7, 2012, training will start the week of June 4th.
• 18 weeks is a LONG time to train, if you keep a 10 mile base, you can jump into the beginner plan at week 5 and make it a 13 week training plan, thus commencing the week of July 2nd.
• You CANNOT skip the long runs.
• You will be tired and hungry.
• Your social life will suffer from lack of alcohol early bedtimes.
• You will be proud each week as your mileage increases.
• You will be in disbelief that although you crawled to your car barely made it back last week that you managed another mile or 2 “this” week.
• You will learn to love ice baths.
• You will get acquainted with Toe Protectors.
• You will learn about nutrition and what your body needs to recover.
• You WILL be able to run 26.2 on October 7th even though you will never have covered that distance previous to that day.
• You may cry, hyperventilate, vomit, crap your pants have to make a pit stop, get chub rub, lose a toe nail or three …..but you will never be prouder than crossing the finish line.
• You will swear that you will NEVER run another marathon.
• You will be on the start line with all your friends on October 6, 2013. 

I personally adapt a version of his advanced plan and then fit in what I can.  I would be running more than this on the weekends but never rarely fit in all the miles during the week.  I also am a big proponent of rest days.  After I run a 20 miler, I will rest, not run a 3 mile recovery run on Sunday or Monday.   This may be why I will never BQ but my body needs that.  I do it for fitness and to push my limits.  This means that some days I walk cuz I feel like it need it.  I will probably walk some during the marathon, especially if it’s hot.  My personal goal is to cross the finish line. I know others have more concrete goals and that is okay but this is an excruciating difficult distance for me so an accomplishment in itself.  I know it’s much easier for some than others and I hope it’s easy for you.

Look thru the training plan here, browse the net a bit, and then make your own decision as to whether you want to commit.  As with anything, if you want it, you and only you have to MAKE IT HAPPEN.    I’ve made my decision, how about you?

Happy Running,                                                                                                                  Amanda – TooTallFritz