One Down Seventy One to Go

So, this past Monday marked the beginning of my 16 week marathon training plan, and it struck me as a little odd than my first day of the training plan was a scheduled off day. I guess it was day of contemplation. I went for my short 3 mile run today and decided against taking the girls in the stroller because the horizon was so dark by 1pm that we had to turn the lights on in the kitchen in order to see. Nothing special about the run, but when it was over, I quickly did the math in my head (16 weeks of training X 4 runs per week = 72 run including marathon day). So tonight I’m happy to say, “One down, seventy one to go.”

I called my friend Christina and left a message on her voicemail to check in with her, because she is running the same marathon as me and I suspected that she would be beginning her training today as well. Although we are going to run the marathon as individuals, and not together, I’m glad that she is doing it with me. It will be nice to have someone to check in with about training achievements and set backs.

I also successfully talked my friend Val into signing up for a half-marathon in early September. It is only eight weeks away, but she’s already at the half way point in terms of fitness and weekly mileage so I know she’ll do fine. I gave her a modified training plan tonight at work and she seemed excited, if not a little nervous too. I can’t wait to see her face when she crosses that finish line and realizes that she CAN do it.

The rest of this week is a pretty tame training week. My remaining runs are a 4 miler, 3 miler, and Sunday’s long day is only a 6 miler. I also do weights and core exercises on Wed, Fri, and Sat. If the weather cooperates, I want to get in a nice long 2 hour ride tomorrow before work.

I’m just happy to have the clock finally counting down.