Jedi Jen's Quest to 26.2 - Entry 1

One year ago I began training for my first half marathon.  I remember starting my training with excitement and nerves.  I was totally excited to begin a bigger training plan than I've ever attempted, but nervous if it would work. This girl who laughed at her 6th grade PE teacher when he tried to get her to run a mile was now going to attempt 13.1? And where thousands of others would be? After four months of training, I finished my first half marathon!  Nothing could bring me down from how accomplished I felt.  

The fall semester is extremely busy with marching/football season so I knew I wouldn't be able to devote the amount of attention needed to train the same way for a fall half marathon.  I went ahead and registered for a half marathon in Tulsa to give me something to help encourage me to keep running and get through some rough personal times.  I didn't train like I wanted to, but getting over the mental barrier of knowing that I COULD do a half marathon really helped me!  I was able to finish my second half marathon and 9 seconds faster than my first! (And I could actually walk the next day, whereas after my first half...I walked like a cowboy!)

I set a goal of accomplishing a full marathon before I turned 30 years old.  And my original dream plan was to run the Disney Marathon for my first full.  But, my thought process changed.  The OKC Memorial Marathon is a truly special race.  I also have met several people through the Red Coyote Racing Team and OKC Landrunners.  Between wanting to run a really special race for my first and knowing I had so much support here in OKC - I took the plunge! I registered for my first FULL marathon!

Disney will still be a very special race for me when I hopefully get to do it in 2013.  I hope to get connected with Team in Training or another fundraising organization on my quest to Disney.  More to come on that later this year!

Last week I was so focused on finishing my 2011 goal of 500 miles that the start of my marathon training wasn't really on my mind.  After my final run of 2011 on Saturday, I have been nervous, anxious, excited, etc.  Today was the first run of my training.  I invited Katie to come along with me & I am so glad she did!  Having a partner not only pushed me, but kept my mind off being nervous.  I can do this - even though I know there will be a lot of ups and downs through the next 17 weeks - I can do this!

Here is a copy of my training plan: (Of course there might be some changes, but this is what I have set!)

    

I don't have a "resolution" for 2012.  I just want to do my best to become a better me - physically & emotionally.  I need to do better with my eating habits.  I need to get over how warm and comfortable my bed is when I need to wake up and go run.  I need to do better on keeping in touch with friends and family.  I hope my first quest to 26.2 will help me on my bigger quest to become a better me! 

 Thumbs up pic after my first 4 miles of marathon training earlier today!