If You Can Run a Mile, You Can Run a Marathon ....

...But you have to choose one first! 

So, before I made my list of New Year's Resolutions, I also procrastinated picking out a race. There were just so many factors to consider. Number one at the top of the list was my impending move back stateside. Especially as I was awaiting orders with a definite report date. I couldn't choose a race without knowing where I was going to live! 

Now that I know I'm headed to Fortress Bragg, I have chosen the New River Marathon. You can check it out here! 

http://www.newrivermarathon.com/

This marathon takes place 7 May. I wanted to do one toward mid-to end of May, but unfortunately couldn't find a race in that time frame. Also, this race is on a Saturday, this is completely not preferable to me. I much prefer a Sunday race. Mostly because I prefer to do my long runs on Sundays, now, because I have to train as I race...Saturdays mornings are now made for running. 

I started last Saturday with a 10-mile run. It was daunting at first, because the furthest I had run in a long while was 7 miles, but so far so good! I would go into more detail about the run itself, but now it's almost time for my next run, so I will wait until then! I can't wait to write about the nitty-gritty of running and the parts I enjoy and venting about the parts I don't!

This week's training includes Mon-3 miles; Tues-6 miles; Wed-3 miles (with 4 uphill sprints); Thurs-3 miles; Friday 6-miles (at m-thon pace) and Saturday...13 Miles!

In Summation: Choosing a marathon=A solid goal; Saturday marathons=mildly irritating; Administrative-tedious; Thirteen miles on the horizon=still sounds doable. 

Is a Resolutionary...As Long as It's Still January Right?

Or...The Road to Resolution and the Deterioration of Resolutions Past
 Every year, I make a vast list of New Year's Resolutions. Seriously, it's nearly a page long, sometimes more. Every. Single. Year. Apparently I think I need significant self-improvement. But mostly the list looks something like this: Finish Degree, Write a book, Lose 10 lbs. Run Boston Marathon. Stop Biting Nails. Etc. etc. Except for a few items this list has evolved into a list of goals, or a To-Do list for the year. Thus far this has been a great system for me and I've since completed my Bachelor's degree in English and Finally stopped biting my nails. However, I seem to remember writing, years ago, on a list: Stop Procrastinating. Unfortunately it seems this nasty little habit has crept back into my life again. I've placed 'Stop Procrastinating' in the number one spot of this year's list which on the 22nd of January has just became a realization. Agreed, it's a little pathetic, but as the title states, I'm still a Resolutionary as long as it's still January...Right? Right? Right.
 Although I won't bore you with entire list of Self-Improvements 2011, in the number 2 slot is:

Qualify for the Boston Marathon

Read about it here: http://www.baa.org/

I've made only 3 bona fide attempts at this goal, as from Sept 2009- Sept 2010 I was busy leading the Life Parenthetical in the capitol city of Afghanistan. 

Now with 2009 and 2010 thankfully in the rear-view mirror, 2011 is destined to be my year for all positive accomplishments!

Basically this is a long run-up (no pun intended) to invite you to join me, at least virtually on my journey toward a Boston Qualifying marathon time. I'm hoping that publicly chronicling this endeavor will help to hold me accountable to my training program and keep me motivated! Please feel free to read, comment, commiserate and encourage, I need all the help I can get! 

In Summation: Procrastination=Sucks and I hope it's a thing of the past; Resolutions=Are cool, I don't care what anyone says; Introductory Blog=Ran a little long;