Marathon training is a long and difficult journey. How do I know? Because I've just been through it.
Even though I have trained for four months, it feels like I have trained forever. And during those four months, I wasn't doing anything else apart from pounding the pavements. It takes a hell of a lot out of you! I haven't been to the gym for a month. I gave up alot of my free time, which I could have used to do other things. And when I'm not running I'm usually resting my feet, body and mind, not able to do anything else.
But the pain, the countless miles, the sacrifice and the self-denial did pay off! Otherwise I've just wasted four months of my life having gone no closer to achieving my original goal. I'm now prepared to run the marathon, I've run a half-marathon in a good time and I feel fitter and healthier. And funnily enough I enjoyed every mile of the long journey.
The title Home Straight means that I'm at the last part of a long and difficult journey. The last week before the marathon is going to be a roller-coaster of emotions as I wind up my preparation. For now I'll do a series of shorter and more intense runs, try to stay injury and illness free, and work on my nutrition. All things considered, I think I have what it takes to get to the finish line, ultimately marking the end of a long and difficult journey.
And frankly I cannot wait for it to be over. It means that I can get into activities that I want to do, without needing to think about training, or feeling guilty when I skip a training session. Already I've thought of a list of things that I want to do post marathon. Such as getting back into dancing, reading more, doing another Java certificate, taking up another sport, getting in contact with a few friends, expanding the social circle, etc. These things I couldn't do whilst training for a marathon.
But I did enjoy the journey. And when I undertook this long journey it became clear to me that I enjoyed running immensely. I've found something that I enjoy doing, and something that I will continue to do many times in my life. No matter what place I get in next week's marathon, in the bigger scheme of things I'm already a winner.
Even though I have trained for four months, it feels like I have trained forever. And during those four months, I wasn't doing anything else apart from pounding the pavements. It takes a hell of a lot out of you! I haven't been to the gym for a month. I gave up alot of my free time, which I could have used to do other things. And when I'm not running I'm usually resting my feet, body and mind, not able to do anything else.
But the pain, the countless miles, the sacrifice and the self-denial did pay off! Otherwise I've just wasted four months of my life having gone no closer to achieving my original goal. I'm now prepared to run the marathon, I've run a half-marathon in a good time and I feel fitter and healthier. And funnily enough I enjoyed every mile of the long journey.
The title Home Straight means that I'm at the last part of a long and difficult journey. The last week before the marathon is going to be a roller-coaster of emotions as I wind up my preparation. For now I'll do a series of shorter and more intense runs, try to stay injury and illness free, and work on my nutrition. All things considered, I think I have what it takes to get to the finish line, ultimately marking the end of a long and difficult journey.
And frankly I cannot wait for it to be over. It means that I can get into activities that I want to do, without needing to think about training, or feeling guilty when I skip a training session. Already I've thought of a list of things that I want to do post marathon. Such as getting back into dancing, reading more, doing another Java certificate, taking up another sport, getting in contact with a few friends, expanding the social circle, etc. These things I couldn't do whilst training for a marathon.
But I did enjoy the journey. And when I undertook this long journey it became clear to me that I enjoyed running immensely. I've found something that I enjoy doing, and something that I will continue to do many times in my life. No matter what place I get in next week's marathon, in the bigger scheme of things I'm already a winner.
No comments:
Post a Comment