Pre-training begins

Shortly around my 29th birthday was when I first came up with this idea of running a marathon. It's not that I need to achieve certain things before I'm 30 (and by the way, 30 is the new 20). Anyways, I told others about the idea and then proceeded to convince two of my friends -- one already a serious runner, and one who basically hadn't run since the Kilometer Klub in elementary school -- to come with me on this mission in Chicago. There was a little bit of hesitation, but with nearly a year to prepare for it, we made a pact to go.

Both have been running well and, more importantly, running consistently. That means both of them are literally miles ahead in their progress versus where I am starting (yet again for what feels like the 20th time). In fact, Yumke and Frankie both finished a half marathon just last weekend, finishing 162 and 444, respectively, out of 3985 runners. Both under 1:44. Wow.

I don't pretend to be in that class. I don't really even aspire to be there.

But that doesn't matter because the personal goal is to just cross the finish line. No specific time goal. (though not so slow that the street is reopening)

Based on some readings, we've calculated that June 19 is the first day of the "real" training. As in a completely mapped-out 18-week schedule of how far to run per day, sometimes how fast. And prescribed rest days. Those are going to be my favorite, without a doubt.

But the mini-project at hand is to just get the legs moving. Yumke designed a pre-training program for me, to get me used to running. So that when I get to Day One of real training, I'm not shocked into the work that's to be done. So for this week, this is my schedule -- Run 4K, take a day off, then 5K, then another rest day. On the weekend, one long run of 7K. And throw in some cross-training like biking or swimming. The following week, same, but take away a day off maybe... The goal is to eventually get my weekly mileage to 25K. A good base to build from, he reckons.

So pre-training began today after work. Did a strength-training class at the gym. Followed that with a 4K run, 37 minutes flat, with a couple of walking breaks, on a treadmill because it was raining when I left work (and I'm not interested in starting pre-training in the cold rain. My preference is to run outside. It's way more interesting than reading the close-captioned plasma TVs that are invariably on Oprah, Dr. Phil, Y&R, MuchMusic or sometimes the news, Christine Cushing Live or Holmes on Homes). Average pace of 10 minutes/kilometre. It's a start.